浮芤滑实弦紧洪，名为七表属阳宫。微沉缓涩迟并伏，濡弱为阴八里同。细数动虚促结散，代革同归九道
中。又有长短大三脉，经书所载亦当通。
《脉经》无表里九道之目，且七表以芤为阳，然为亡血失精半产。七表以弦为阳。仲景以弦为阴。九道以
动为阴，仲景以动为阳。惟《脉经》则与仲景合也。经以上中下九候为九道，的非歌诀九道之谓也。戴同父有
《脉诀刊误》，朱文公谓其辞俚而浅。但《脉诀》世俗诵习已惯，表里名义，初学不可不知。九道从丹溪者，
《脉经》有数无短，《内经》有革无牢故也。
浮按不足举有余，
浮，不沉也，脉在肉上。
沉按有余举则无。
沉，不浮也。浮沉二脉，以举按轻重取之。浮为在表，沉为在里。
迟脉一息刚三至，数来六至一吸呼。
迟，不及也；数，太过也。迟数二脉以呼吸息数取之，迟为冷，数为热。
滑似累珠来往疾；
滑，不涩也，累累如珠，往来流利疾速。
涩滞往来刮竹皮。
涩，不滑也。往来涩滞如刀刮竹皮然，不通快也。滑涩二脉以往来形状取之，滑为有余，涩为不足。
大浮满指沉无力，
大，不小也。浮取满指似洪，沉取阔濡无力。
缓比迟脉快些儿。
缓，不紧也。仍四至，但往来更和缓耳，比三至迟脉更快些。大缓二脉以指下急慢分之，大则邪胜，缓
则正复。
洪如洪水涌波起，
洪大而涌上且实也。如洪水之波浪涌起，浮沉取之有力，其中微曲如环如钩，故夏脉曰钩。钩即洪也。
实按 力自殊。
实，不虚也，举按皆 有力。
弦若张弓弦劲直，
弦，劲直如弓骇也，举按皆然。
紧似牵绳转索初。
紧，急而不缓也，如转索之状。
长脉过指出位外，
长，不短也，过于本位。
芤两头有中空疏。
芤，如芤菜中空也。
微似蛛丝容易断，
微，不显也，若有若无。
细线往来更可观。
细，微渺也。较之微脉差大，往来有常。
濡全无力不耐按，
濡，无力也。轻手乍来，重手却去。
弱则欲绝有无间。
弱，不盛也。按之欲绝，似有似无，举之则无。
虚虽豁大不能固，
举按虽阔豁而不坚固也。
革如按鼓最牢坚。
革，改易本来气血也，浮沉取之，皆实如按鼓皮然。
动如转豆无来往，
举无寻有，如豆厥厥动摇不离其处，无往无来。
散漫乍时注指端。
散，不聚也。来去不明，漫无根柢，指端轻按则有，重按即失，有表无里也。或问∶散乃败脉，何心肺
平脉皆浮而散耶？盖心浮大中带濡，肺浮涩中带大，有似于散耳。若真散，岂为平脉？但不带散，则又为真夏
秋脉矣。
伏潜骨里形方见，
伏，不见也。按之推之，至于骨乃见。
绝则全无推亦闲。
绝，亦古脉名。
短于本位犹不及，
短，不及也。见指中间。
促急来数喜渐宽。
促者，急也。脉数时一止复来，曰促。
结脉缓时来一止。
结，不续也。脉来迟缓时一止，曰结。
代脉中止不自还。
代，更代也。先有涩濡定止，方见代脉，止歇有定数，不比促结，止而不定。如十动一止，虽数十动，皆
见于十动之后。如二十动一止，虽数十动，皆见于二十动之后，三十四十动皆然。
浮、芤、滑、实、弦、紧、洪，这七种脉象被称为“七表”，归属于阳的范畴。微、沉、缓、涩、迟、伏、濡、弱，这八种脉象合称为“八里”，同属于阴的范畴。细、数、动、虚、促、结、散、代、革，这九种脉象共同归入“九道”之中。此外还有长、短、大这三种脉象，虽然经典医书中记载较少，但也应当通晓掌握。
《脉经》中并没有“表里九道”这样的分类名称。而且，《脉诀》将“芤”脉列为阳脉，但芤脉实际上多见于亡血、失精或半产（流产）等症；《脉诀》将“弦”脉列为阳脉，而张仲景则认为弦脉属阴；《脉诀》将“动”脉列为阴脉，而张仲景认为动脉属阳。只有《脉经》的观点与张仲景相吻合。这里所说的“九道”，是指通过上、中、下三部九候来诊察，并非指歌诀中所说的九道脉。戴同父著有《脉诀刊误》，朱熹（朱文公）批评其辞藻粗俗浅显。但是，《脉诀》在世俗间诵读习以为常，关于表里脉名的含义，初学者不可不知。之所以采用丹溪先生的观点将某些脉归为九道，是因为《脉经》中有数脉而无短脉，《内经》中有革脉而无牢脉的缘故。
浮脉：轻取不足，重按有余。
浮脉，即不沉，脉位位于肌肉之上。
沉脉：重按有余，轻举则无。
沉脉，即不浮。浮脉和沉脉，是通过手指轻举（浮取）和重按（沉取）的力度来区分的。浮脉主病在表，沉脉主病在里。
迟脉：一呼一吸之间脉搏跳动刚满三次。
迟脉，指脉搏次数不及正常标准；数脉，指脉搏次数超过正常标准。迟脉和数脉是通过呼吸次数来计算脉搏频率的，迟脉主寒证，数脉主热证。
数脉：一呼一吸之间脉搏跳动六次。
滑脉：感觉像串联的珠子一样往来疾速。
滑脉，即不涩，脉象累累如珠，往来流利且疾速。
涩脉：往来滞涩，如同刮竹皮般艰难。
涩脉，即不滑。往来涩滞，就像用刀刮竹皮一样，不通畅快捷。滑脉和涩脉是通过脉搏往来的形态来区分的，滑脉主实证（有余），涩脉主虚证（不足）。
大脉：浮取时满指，沉取时无力。
大脉，即不小。浮取时感觉满指，类似洪脉，但沉取时宽阔而濡软无力。
缓脉：比迟脉稍快一些。
缓脉，即不紧。脉搏次数仍为四至，但往来更加和缓，比三至的迟脉要快一些。大脉和缓脉是通过指下的急迫与舒缓来区分的，大脉表示邪气盛，缓脉表示正气恢复。
洪脉：如同洪水涌起波浪。
洪脉大而向上涌动且充实。如同洪水的波浪涌起，浮取和沉取都有力，中间微曲如环如钩，所以夏季的正常脉象称为“钩”。钩就是洪脉。
实脉：重按时力度自然不同。
实脉，即不虚，轻举和重按时都很有力。
弦脉：如同拉开的弓弦，劲直有力。
弦脉，劲直如同惊弓之弦，无论轻举还是重按都是如此。
紧脉：如同牵引绳索初转时的状态。
紧脉，紧急而不舒缓，如同转动绳索的样子。
长脉：超过本位，延伸至寸口之外。
长脉，即不短，超过正常的本位范围。
芤脉：两头有脉，中间空虚疏朗。
芤脉，如同芤菜（空心菜）中间是空的。
微脉：细微如同蛛丝，容易中断。
微脉，不明显，若有若无。
细脉：往来如线，更值得观察。
细脉，微小渺茫。比微脉稍大一些，往来有常规节律。
濡脉：完全没有力气，不耐受按压。
濡脉，无力。轻手接触时脉象乍现，重手按压时脉象却消失。
弱脉：似绝未绝，似有似无之间。
弱脉，不盛大。重按时感觉快要断绝，似有似无，轻举时则摸不到。
虚脉：虽然豁大但不能固守。
虚脉，轻举和重按时虽然宽阔豁大，但不坚固。
革脉：如同按压鼓皮，最为牢坚。
革脉，改变本来气血的状态，浮取和沉取时，都坚实如同按压鼓皮。
动脉：如同转动的豆子，没有明显的往来移动。
动脉，轻寻时有，重按时无，如同豆子厥厥动摇，不离其处，没有往来的位移。
散脉：漫无根底，时而注于指端。
散脉，不聚拢。来去不明，漫无根柢，在指端轻按时则有，重按时即失，有表无里。有人问：散脉乃是败脉，为什么心肺的正常脉象也是浮而散的呢？回答说：心脉浮大中带濡，肺脉浮涩中带大，看起来有点像散脉罢了。如果是真正的散脉，怎么会是正常的脉象呢？只是如果不带有散脉的特征，那就又是真正的夏秋季节的脉象了。
伏脉：潜藏于骨里，推按之后才能见到。
伏脉，看不见。重按并推筋着骨，才能见到脉象。
绝脉：完全摸不到，推按也空闲无物。
绝脉，也是古时候的脉名。
短脉：在本位之内，尚且不及。
短脉，不及正常长度，只在指下中间部分可见。
促脉：急促而来，数中时有一止，逐渐放宽节奏。
促脉，即急。脉搏数时偶尔停止一次后又复来，称为促脉。
结脉：迟缓而来，时有一止。
结脉，不连续。脉搏来势迟缓时偶尔停止一次，称为结脉。
代脉：中止后不能自行恢复，需待下一次周期。
代脉，更代交替。先出现涩、濡等定止，然后才见到代脉。代脉的停歇有固定的次数，不像促脉和结脉那样停歇不定。例如十次搏动中有一次停止，即使后面几十次搏动，也都出现在第十次搏动之后。例如二十次搏动中有一次停止，即使后面几十次搏动，也都出现在第二十次搏动之后，三十次、四十次搏动也是如此。
Floating (Fú), Khong (Kōu, empty), Slippery (Huá), Solid (Shí), String-taut (Xián), Tight (Jǐn), and Surging (Hóng) are named the "Seven Exterior" (Qī Biǎo) and belong to the Palace of Yang. Minute (Wēi), Deep (Chén), Slow-Relaxed (Huǎn), Choppy (Sè), Delayed (Chí), Hidden (Fú), Soft (Rú), and Weak (Ruò) constitute the "Eight Interior" (Bā Lǐ) together. Fine (Xì), Rapid (Shù), Pulsating (Dòng), Deficient (Xū), Urgent (Cù), Knotted (Jié), Scattered (Sàn), Intermittent (Dài), and Drum-skin (Gé) all return to the "Nine Channels" (Jiǔ Dào). Furthermore, there are Long (Cháng), Short (Duǎn), and Large (Dà) pulses; although recorded less frequently in classic texts, they should also be understood.
The *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic) does not use the categories of "Exterior/Interior Nine Channels." Moreover, regarding the Seven Exterior, it classifies Khong as Yang, yet Khong is actually associated with loss of blood, essence depletion, or miscarriage. It classifies String-taut as Yang, whereas Zhang Zhongjing considers String-taut to be Yin. Regarding the Nine Channels, it classifies Pulsating as Yin, while Zhang Zhongjing considers Pulsating to be Yang. Only the *Mai Jing* aligns with Zhang Zhongjing's views. The "Nine Channels" mentioned here refer to the nine palpation sites (Upper, Middle, Lower sections) for diagnosis, not the specific nine pulse types defined in the rhyme book. Dai Tongfu wrote *Correction of Errors in Pulse Rhymes*, and Zhu Xi (Zhu Wengong) criticized its language as vulgar and shallow. However, since the *Pulse Rhyme* has become customary in popular practice, beginners must understand the meanings of Exterior and Interior pulse names. The classification of Nine Channels following Danxi’s approach exists because the *Mai Jing* includes Rapid but lacks Short, and the *Neijing* includes Drum-skin but lacks Firm pulses.
**Floating Pulse**: Light pressure reveals insufficiency, heavy pressure reveals abundance.
Floating means not deep; the pulse position is above the muscle layer.
**Deep Pulse**: Heavy pressure reveals abundance, light pressure yields nothing.
Deep means not floating. Floating and Deep pulses are distinguished by the weight of lifting (light pressure) and pressing (heavy pressure). Floating indicates disease in the Exterior; Deep indicates disease in the Interior.
**Delayed Pulse**: Three beats per respiration cycle.
Delayed means fewer than normal; Rapid means more than normal. Delayed and Rapid pulses are determined by counting beats per breath cycle. Delayed indicates Cold; Rapid indicates Heat.
**Rapid Pulse**: Six beats per respiration cycle.
**Slippery Pulse**: Feels like a string of pearls, coming and going swiftly.
Slippery means not choppy; it feels like beads rolling, flowing smoothly and quickly.
**Choppy Pulse**: Coming and going is stagnant, like scraping bamboo skin.
Choppy means not slippery. The flow is stagnant, resembling the friction of scraping bamboo skin, lacking smoothness. Slippery and Choppy pulses are distinguished by their movement shape. Slippery indicates Excess (abundance); Choppy indicates Deficiency (insufficiency).
**Large Pulse**: Fills the fingers on light pressure, but is forceless on heavy pressure.
Large means not small. On light pressure, it feels full like the Surging pulse; on heavy pressure, it is broad, soft, and forceless.
**Relaxed Pulse**: Slightly faster than the Delayed pulse.
Relaxed means not tight. It still has four beats per cycle but flows more harmoniously, being slightly faster than the three-beat Delayed pulse. Large and Relaxed pulses are distinguished by tension under the finger. Large indicates pathogenic excess; Relaxed indicates recovery of healthy Qi.
**Surging Pulse**: Like floodwaters rising with waves.
Surging is large, upward-moving, and solid. Like waves rising from a flood, it is forceful on both light and heavy pressure, curving slightly like a ring or hook. Hence, the Summer pulse is called "Hook." Hook is synonymous with Surging.
**Solid Pulse**: Force differs upon heavy pressure.
Solid means not deficient; it is forceful on both light and heavy pressure.
**String-taut Pulse**: Stiff and straight like a drawn bowstring.
String-taut is stiff and straight like a startled bowstring, consistent on both light and heavy pressure.
**Tight Pulse**: Resembles the initial twisting of a rope.
Tight is urgent and not relaxed, resembling the motion of twisting a rope.
**Long Pulse**: Extends beyond the standard position, reaching outside the cun-kun-chi area.
Long means not short; it exceeds the normal positional boundaries.
**Khong Pulse**: Present at the edges, empty in the center.
Khong resembles the hollow center of an amaranth vegetable (or water spinach).
**Minute Pulse**: Fine as a spider's thread, easily interrupted.
Minute is not prominent; it seems to exist and then vanish.
**Fine Pulse**: Flows like a thread, worthy of careful observation.
Fine is minute and subtle. It is slightly larger than the Minute pulse and has a regular rhythm.
**Soft Pulse**: Completely forceless, cannot withstand pressure.
Soft is forceless. It appears lightly but disappears under heavy pressure.
**Weak Pulse**: On the verge of disappearing, existing between presence and absence.
Weak is not vigorous. Under pressure, it feels as if it will cease, seeming present yet absent; it is imperceptible on light pressure.
**Deficient Pulse**: Although broad, it lacks firmness.
Deficient is broad and hollow on both light and heavy pressure but lacks solidity.
**Drum-skin Pulse**: Feels most firm and hard, like pressing a drum.
Drum-skin indicates a change in original Qi and Blood. On both light and heavy pressure, it feels solid and hard, like pressing a drumhead.
**Pulsating Pulse**: Like a rolling bean, without distinct forward/backward movement.
Pulsating is felt on light search but not on heavy press. It quivers like a bean in place, without moving back and forth.
**Scattered Pulse**: Diffuse and fleeting, momentarily noted at the fingertip.
Scattered is unconsolidated. Its arrival and departure are unclear, lacking roots. It is felt on light pressure at the fingertip but lost on heavy pressure; it has Exterior manifestation but no Interior root. Question: Since Scattered is a failing pulse, why are the normal pulses of the Heart and Lung described as Floating and Scattered? Answer: The Heart pulse is Floating, large, and contains elements of Softness; the Lung pulse is Floating, choppy, and contains elements of largeness. They merely resemble Scattered. A true Scattered pulse would not be a normal pulse. If it lacks Scattered characteristics, it becomes the normal pulse for late Summer and Autumn.
**Hidden Pulse**: Submerged deep within the bones, visible only after pushing.
Hidden is invisible. It requires heavy pressing and pushing until the bone to be perceived.
**Severed Pulse**: Completely absent; even pushing yields nothing.
Severed is an ancient pulse name.
**Short Pulse**: Does not reach its proper position.
Short is insufficient in length, perceptible only in the middle of the finger placement.
**Urgent Pulse**: Comes rapidly and rapidly, occasionally pausing.
Urgent means rapid. When the pulse is rapid but stops occasionally before returning, it is called Urgent.
**Knotted Pulse**: Comes slowly and occasionally pauses.
Knotted means discontinuous. When the pulse comes slowly and stops occasionally, it is called Knotted.
**Intermittent Pulse**: Stops and does not return immediately; follows a fixed pattern.
Intermittent means alternating. It appears after definite pauses characteristic of Choppy or Soft pulses. The pauses in Intermittent pulse have a fixed number, unlike the irregular pauses of Urgent and Knotted pulses. For example, if there is one stop every ten beats, this pattern holds for dozens of beats. If there is one stop every twenty beats, this pattern holds similarly for thirty or forty beats.