治病须分经络，古人以经界喻之，犹夫射之的、御之范也。《灵枢·经脉》一篇，为我医所必读，惟是其文参差繁复，
习者苦之。东垣编为歌诀，国朝汪 庵更为谐畅，可谓记诵无难矣。惟是熟此经脉，于逐经之起止循行虽己了了，而人
之
身体，每一处有两三经，或四五经，错综循及者，皆散见于各经之下，临证仓卒，未免或遗。烈不揣愚陋，窃以人身自
巅至足，凡十二经络行及之所，汇而辑之。再奇经八脉，除带脉及阴阳维跷，皆简明易晓，可无纂辑外，其冲、任、督
三经，亦为摘入。仿四六之体，编为俚句，而不拘拈对，不嫌粗俗，惟求便于记诵，俾人之身体四肢，一云某处，便识
为某经某络，实为临证、辨经、分经、议治之快捷方式；但不敢曰熟此总诀，竟可置《经》文而不读也。譬之《本草纲目》，
既已按药而治病，复有《本草类方》，为之按病以集方，二者纵横为用，尤为心目了然耳。
头上诸脉 盖闻手之三阴，从藏走手（手太阴肺，少阴心，厥阴心包），手之三阳，从手走头。（手少阳三焦，
阳明大肠，太阳小肠）。足之三阳，从头走足（足太阳膀胱，阳明胃，少阳胆），足之三阴，从足走腹（足太阴脾，少阴
肾、厥阴肝）。《灵枢》逐一而分言，兹乃合编而便读。膀胱之脉交于巅，肝与督脉会于巅，络脑须知膀督（惟欲便于诵
读，故用简字诀，余仿此）。发际循乎胃脉，胃至额颅（发际下为额颅），胆抵头角。上额者督与膀胱（在内直上），出额
者其惟肝脉（在外直出）。目系连于肝脉，心之支者，并系目之内角，名曰内 ，小支至而膀胱起，胃经还约于其旁（小
肠之支者至目内 ，膀胱之脉起于目内 ，胃脉起于鼻之交 中，旁约太阳之脉，下循鼻外。约，一作纳）。目之外角名
曰锐 ，胆接焦支（三焦之支者，至目锐 ，胆脉起于目锐 ）。小肠亦至目下为 （音拙），焦胆小肠而合至（三脉俱
支者）。两旁为颊，大小肝焦而上下（夹面横骨为颊，大肠贯颊，小肠上颊，肝与三焦俱下颊，四脉亦俱支者）。小肠之
支斜络于颧，督脉至于鼻柱，胃脉起于交 （即山根）。大肠之支挟鼻孔，而交中挟口（从下齿还出挟口，交人中，左之
右，右之左，上挟鼻孔至迎香穴而终，交足阳明经），胃经之脉循鼻外，而挟口环唇。肝又环于唇内，胃又交于承浆（下
唇陷中）。胃经之脉入上齿，大肠之支入下齿。颔前大迎，胃脉出而胆支下（ 下为颔，颔前一寸三分动脉陷中为大迎，
乃胃经穴），颔下为颐，胃脉循而任脉上（胃脉循颐后下廉）。耳之上角，焦支出而膀支至，客主人穴，胆出走而胃脉过
（耳前上廉起骨曰客主人，乃胆经穴，胆脉之支者，出走耳前，至目锐 后，胃脉上耳前，过客主人）。三焦之孙脉，出
走客主人前（《灵枢》云∶经脉为里，支而横者为络，络之别者为孙，此支之歧者，故曰孙脉，后仿此）。小肠与焦胆，
三支并入耳中。胆脉焦支系于耳后，胆支胃脉循在颊车。（耳下曲骨为颊车）。咽有小心，脾肾之脉。（小肠脉循咽，心脉
之支者挟咽，脾脉挟咽，肾脉至咽）。喉为胃支，肾脉之循（二脉循喉咙）。肝循喉后而入咽颡（肝脉循喉咙之后，上入
咽颡，咽颡一名颃颡，在上 后）。脾连舌本而散舌下。肾脉挟乎舌本，胃支下在人迎（结喉旁一寸五分动脉）。此为诸
阳之会，先须大略而陈。
在身诸脉 原夫脑后为项，膀胱督脉与焦支。两旁为颈，大小肠支同胆脉。肩 骨之前廉，大肠出之。肩后之
下为膊，膀胱循也。焦胆小肠，交合于肩（会于大椎者为肩）。肾经督脉，并贯于脊。脊骨两旁第一行，相去各一寸五分，
挟脊肉为膂，膀脉循之而挟脊。脊骨两旁第二行，相去各三寸，成片骨为胛（音夹），小肠绕而膀支贯。至于肩前，陷下
名曰缺盆，焦胆胃肠并入其中。是以胆脉循胸，三焦布膻（上焦两乳中间为膻中）。乳内廉乃胃经直下，腋之中分，胆经
包络（心包络亦有直者、支者之分，恐辞句繁复，故此处支者仅云包络，下文正脉，乃用心包二字以别之）。腋下为包络
之过，心直下而肺横。出胁里为胆脉之循，心包出而肝经布。胁骨之下为季胁，须识胆经之过。脐下四寸为中极，当知
任脉之起（任脉起于中极之下）。然而任脉当脐，冲胃挟脐。脾脉入腹，胃支循腹，肝脉上抵乎小腹，胆胃出入于气街（脐
下毛际两旁动脉为气街，一名气冲，乃胃经穴），胆绕毛际（曲骨之外为毛际），肝环阴器。此在身躯之脉，所当胪列而
明。
脏腑中诸脉 其在脏腑之脉，太阳与少阴为表里（手太阳小肠，少阴心；足太阳膀胱，少阴肾），少阳与厥阴
为表里（手少阳三焦，厥阴心包；足少阳胆、厥阴肝），阳明与太阴为表里（手阳明大肠，太阴肺，足阳明胃，太阴脾），
凡此六经，脉皆互络，手足同然，无烦详赘（如肺脉络大肠，大肠脉络肺之类，十二经皆仿此）。更有肺之一脏，心直上
而肾直入，胃之一腑，肝脉挟而肺小循（肝脉挟胃，肺脉还循胃口，小肠之脉抵胃），心有肾支之络，肝有肾经之贯，脾
支又注于心中，肺脉自起于中焦，心下有膈，惟膀胱为无涉，十有一经，皆上下而贯之（心下隔膜，遮隔浊气，不使上
薰心肺，惟膀胱之脉挟脊抵腰中，入循膂，络肾属膀胱，故不贯膈）。此属脏腑之间，并须熟谙者。
手经诸脉 论乎肩肘之间，乃号为 （音柔，俗名大臂）。 之内廉有三，肺循前而心循后，包络恰循乎其问。 之
外
廉有三，小循后而大循前，三焦乃循乎其外。 下为肘，三焦上贯内廉、尺泽，包络入之（包络之支者，入肘内陷中尺
泽穴），肺则下于内前，心又下于内后（肺脉下肘中，心脉下肘内，惟肺脉行前，心脉行后，心包行其中间为别），小肠
出于内侧（两筋之间），大肠入于外廉。肘下为臂，包仍在中（即上文支者），大循上而小循下，心脉仍循内后廉。上渭
下
廉之内，仍循肺脉，臂外两骨之间，还出三焦。肺入寸口，而循鱼际（关前动脉为寸口，大指后肉隆起处为鱼，鱼际其
间穴名），心抵锐骨而入后廉。（心脉抵掌后锐骨之端，入掌内后廉）。包络直入于掌中（从曲泽行掌后两筋之间横纹陷中，
入掌中），三焦仍循乎表腕。大肠出于合谷，而上入两筋之中，（合谷俗名虎口，大肠经穴）小肠循于外侧，而出腕下之
踝（循手外侧上腕出踝中。踝音华上声，腕外兑骨）。肺脉出于大指，包络出于中指，次指为肺支肠脉之交（肺脉之支者，
直出次指，内廉出其端，大肠之脉起于次指之端）。四指为包孙焦脉之接，三焦又上出小次之间，小指为心脉小肠之接。
所谓手经，大略如斯。
足经诸脉 至如尻上为腰，膀胱脉抵（背脊下横骨为腰），腰下为臀，膀支贯之。两旁捷骨之下名髀枢，而胆
横膀过（一名髀厌，胆脉横入髀厌中，膀胱之支者过髀枢），前面气街之下号髀关，而胃经直下。股之内廉前廉脾而后廉
肾，又肝脉内循于股阴。股外为髀，后膀支而前胃脉（髀前膝上六寸起肉为伏兔，胃脉抵之），又胆脉下循于髀阳（循髀
外行太阳阳明之间）。是以挟膝筋中为膑（即膝盖骨），仍属胃经之直下。而膝内脾经（内前廉），膝外胆脉，（外廉），膝
后曲处为 ，还是膀支之直入，而肾出肝上，俱在内廉（肾脉出 内廉，肝脉上 内廉）。脾肾上于 内（ 、足肚也。
二脉上 内廉），膀支贯于 外（从 中下贯 内，出外踝之后）。胆下于外辅骨前，而直抵绝骨之端（髀骨为辅骨，外
踝上为绝骨）。肝斜于胫 内侧，而胃循胫外之廉。内踝有脾前肾后之分，外踝有胆前膀后之别（跟上两旁内外曰踝）。
大趾节后为核骨，脾经脉过，足外侧骨为京骨，膀脉支循。肾入跟中，胃胆循跗。跗上廉乃肝经循处，足心中有肾脉斜
趋（涌泉穴）。大趾甲后属胆支，肝脉之交，大趾内侧为胃支，脾脉之接。中趾内外分胃直胃支之入，四趾之间，又胆经
直入而终。膀支至于小趾之外，肾脉起于小趾之下。足经之脉，又如此也。
治病必须分清经络，古人用经界的比喻来解释，就像射箭要有靶子、驾车要有规范一样。《灵枢·经脉》这一篇，是我们医生必读的文献，只是它的文字参差不齐、繁杂难懂，学习的人对此感到苦恼。李东垣将其编成歌诀，本朝汪昂又编得更加流畅顺口，可以说背诵起来没有困难了。只是熟记这些经脉后，虽然对各条经脉的起止和循行路线已经很清楚，但人的身体每一处往往有二三条甚至四五条经脉错综交叉经过，这些都散见于各经的描述之下，临证时匆忙之间，难免会有遗漏。我不自量力，冒昧地将人身从头顶到足部，凡十二正经所经过的地方，汇总编辑在一起。另外奇经八脉中，除了带脉以及阴维脉、阳维脉、阴跷脉、阳跷脉之外，其余都简明易懂，无需再编纂；而冲脉、任脉、督脉这三条经脉，也一并摘录进来。我模仿四六句式，编成通俗的句子，不拘泥于对仗，不避讳粗俗，只求便于记忆，让人们提到身体的某个部位，就能识别是哪条经哪条络，这确实是临证、辨经、分经、议治的快捷方式；但不敢声称熟记了这个总诀，就可以把《内经》原文丢在一边不读了。这就好比《本草纲目》，既按药物分类来治病，又有《本草类方》，按病证来汇集方剂，两者纵横配合使用，更加让人心里明白。
头部诸脉 听说手三阴经，从内脏走向手部（手太阴肺经、手少阴心经、手厥阴心包经），手三阳经，从手部走向头部（手少阳三焦经、手阳明大肠经、手太阳小肠经）。足三阳经，从头部走向足部（足太阳膀胱经、足阳明胃经、足少阳胆经），足三阴经，从足部走向腹部（足太阴脾经、足少阴肾经、足厥阴肝经）。《灵枢》逐一分别讲述，这里则合并编写以便阅读。膀胱经的脉气交会于头顶，肝经与督脉会合于头顶，联络脑部需要知道膀胱经和督脉（为了便于诵读，所以使用简字诀，其余仿照此例）。发际线沿着胃经循行，胃经到达额颅（发际下为额颅），胆经抵住头角。上行至额部的有督脉和膀胱经（在内侧直上），出于额部的只有肝经（在外侧直出）。目系连接肝经，心脏的支脉，并行联系眼的内角，名叫内眦，细小的支脉到达此处而膀胱经起始，胃经还约束在它的旁边（小肠的支脉到达目内眦，膀胱经的脉气起于目内眦，胃脉起于鼻翼交点中，旁侧约束太阳之脉，向下沿鼻外。约，一作纳）。眼的外角名叫锐眦，胆经接应三焦的支脉（三焦的支脉，到达目锐眦，胆脉起于目锐眦）。小肠也到达眼下成为眦（音拙），三焦、胆、小肠三支合并到达此处（三条脉都有支脉到达）。两旁是面颊，大肠、小肠、肝经、三焦经上下分布（夹面横骨为颊，大肠贯颊，小肠上颊，肝经与三焦经俱下颊，这四条脉也都有支脉）。小肠的支脉斜行联络颧骨，督脉到达鼻柱，胃经起于山根（即鼻根部）。大肠的支脉挟持鼻孔，而在人中穴挟持口唇（从下齿出来环绕口唇，交于人中线，左交右，右交左，向上挟鼻孔至迎香穴结束，交足阳明经），胃经的脉气沿鼻外而行，挟持口唇环绕嘴唇。肝经又环绕唇内，胃经又交于承浆（下唇凹陷中）。胃经的脉气进入上齿，大肠的支脉进入下齿。下巴前的大迎穴，胃经走出而胆经支脉下行（颏下为颌，颌前一寸三分动脉陷中大迎，乃胃经穴位），下巴下为颐，胃经循行而任脉上行（胃经循行于颐后下廉）。耳之上角，三焦支出而膀胱支脉到达，客主人穴，胆经出走而胃经经过（耳前上廉起骨曰客主人，乃胆经穴位，胆经的支脉，出走耳前，至目锐眦后，胃经上耳前，过客主人穴）。三焦的孙脉，出走客主人前（《灵枢》说：经脉为里，分支而横者为络，络的别支者为孙，这是支脉的歧出者，所以叫孙脉，后文仿照此例）。小肠与三焦、胆经，三支并入耳中。胆经脉气、三焦支脉系于耳后，胆经支脉、胃经脉气循行在颊车（耳下曲骨为颊车）。咽部有小心，脾经、肾经的脉气（小肠脉循咽，心经的支脉挟咽，脾经挟咽，肾经至咽）。喉咙为胃经支脉，肾经脉气循行（这两条脉循喉咙）。肝经循喉咙之后而入咽颡（肝经循喉咙之后，上入咽颡，咽颡一名颃颡，在上腭后）。脾经连接舌根而散布舌下。肾经脉气挟持舌根，胃经支脉下行在人迎（结喉旁一寸五分动脉）。这是诸阳经的会合之处，先须大致陈述。
身躯诸脉 原来脑后为项，膀胱经、督脉与三焦经支脉所在。两旁为颈，大肠经、小肠经支脉同胆经脉气。肩髃骨之前廉，大肠经走出。肩后之下为膊，膀胱经循行。三焦经、胆经、小肠经，交合于肩（会于大椎者为肩）。肾经、督脉，并贯于脊。脊骨两旁第一行，相距各一寸五分，挟脊肉为膂，膀胱经循行于此而挟脊。脊骨两旁第二行，相距各三寸，成片骨为胛（音夹），小肠经绕行而膀胱经支脉贯穿。至于肩前，陷下名曰缺盆，三焦经、胆经、胃经、大肠经并入其中。因此胆经循胸，三焦经布散膻中（上焦两乳中间为膻中）。乳内廉乃胃经直下，腋之中分，胆经、心包经覆盖（心包络也有直者、支者之分，恐怕词句繁杂，所以此处支者仅云包络，下文正脉，乃用心包二字以区别）。腋下为心包经经过，心经直下而肺经横出。出胁里为胆经循行，心包经走出而肝经布散。胁骨之下为季胁，须识胆经经过。脐下四寸为中极，当知任脉起始（任脉起于中极之下）。然而任脉当脐，冲脉、胃经挟脐。脾经入腹，胃经支脉循腹，肝经上抵小腹，胆经、胃经出入于气街（脐下毛际两旁动脉为气街，一名气冲，乃胃经穴位），胆经绕毛际（曲骨之外为毛际），肝经环绕阴器。这是在身躯的脉气，应当罗列说明。
脏腑中诸脉 其在脏腑的脉气，太阳与少阴为表里（手太阳小肠经、手少阴心经；足太阳膀胱经、足少阴肾经），少阳与厥阴为表里（手少阳三焦经、手厥阴心包经；足少阳胆经、足厥阴肝经），阳明与太阴为表里（手阳明大肠经、手太阴肺经，足阳明胃经、足太阴脾经），凡是这六经，脉气皆互相联络，手足相同，无需详细赘述（如肺经络大肠，大肠经络肺之类，十二经都仿照此例）。更有肺之一脏，心经直上而肾经直入，胃之一腑，肝经挟持而肺经小循（肝经挟胃，肺经还循胃口，小肠经的脉气抵胃），心有肾经支脉联络，肝经有肾经贯穿，脾经支脉又注入心中，肺经自己起于中焦，心下有膈膜，只有膀胱经不涉及，十一经，都上下贯穿它（心下隔膜，遮隔浊气，不使上熏心肺，只有膀胱经的脉气挟脊抵腰中，入循膂，络肾属膀胱，所以不贯膈）。这属于脏腑之间，也必须熟悉掌握。
手经诸脉 论及肩肘之间，号称肱（音柔，俗名大臂）。肱之内侧有三条，肺经循前而心经循后，心包经恰循乎其间。肱的外侧有三条，小肠经循后而大肠经循前，三焦经乃循乎其外。肱下为肘，三焦经上贯内侧、尺泽穴，心包经入之（心包经的支脉，入肘内陷中尺泽穴），肺经则下于内前，心经又下于内后（肺经下肘中，心经下肘内，只有肺经行前，心经行后，心包经行其中间为别），小肠经出于内侧（两筋之间），大肠经入于外侧。肘下为臂，心包经仍在中（即上文支者），大肠经循上而小肠经循下，心经脉气仍循内后廉。上腕下腕之内，仍循肺经，臂外两骨之间，还出三焦经。肺经入寸口，而循鱼际（关前动脉为寸口，大指后肉隆起处为鱼，鱼际其间穴名），心经抵锐骨而入后廉。（心经脉气抵掌后锐骨之端，入掌内后廉）。心包经直入于掌中（从曲泽行掌后两筋之间横纹陷中，入掌中），三焦经仍循乎表腕。大肠经出于合谷，而上入两筋之中，（合谷俗名虎口，大肠经穴位）小肠经循于外侧，而出腕下之踝（循手外侧上腕出踝中。踝音华上声，腕外兑骨）。肺经出于大指，心包经出于中指，次指为肺经支脉、大肠经脉气的交接（肺经的支脉，直出次指，内廉出其端，大肠经的脉气起于次指之端）。四指为心包经孙脉、三焦经脉气的接应，三焦经又上出小次指之间，小指为心经、小肠经的接应。所谓手经，大致如此。
足经诸脉 至如尻上为腰，膀胱经脉气抵（背脊下横骨为腰），腰下为臀，膀胱经支脉贯穿。两旁捷骨之下名髀枢，而胆经横过膀胱经（一名髀厌，胆经横入髀厌中，膀胱经的支脉过髀枢），前面气街之下号髀关，而胃经直下。大腿的内侧前廉脾经而后廉肾经，又肝经内循于股阴。股外为髀，后膀胱经支脉而前胃经脉气（髀前膝上六寸起肉为伏兔，胃经抵之），又胆经下循于髀阳（循髀外行太阳阳明之间）。因此挟膝筋中为髌（即膝盖骨），仍属胃经直下。而膝内脾经（内前廉），膝外胆经（外廉），膝后曲处为腘，还是膀胱经支脉直入，而肾经出肝经上，俱在内廉（肾经出腘内廉，肝经上腘内廉）。脾肾上于腘内（腘，足肚也。二脉上腘内廉），膀胱经支脉贯于腘外（从腘中下贯腘内，出外踝之后）。胆经下于外辅骨前，而直抵绝骨之端（髀骨为辅骨，外踝上为绝骨）。肝经斜于胫腓内侧，而胃经循胫外之廉。内踝有脾经前肾经后之分，外踝有胆经前膀胱经后之别（跟上两旁内外曰踝）。大趾节后为核骨，脾经脉气经过，足外侧骨为京骨，膀胱经支脉循行。肾经入跟中，胃经、胆经循跗。跗上廉乃肝经循行处，足心中有肾经脉气斜趋（涌泉穴）。大趾甲后属胆经支脉，肝经脉气交接，大趾内侧为胃经支脉，脾经脉气接应。中趾内外分胃经直脉、胃经支脉的入处，四趾之间，又胆经直入而终。膀胱经支脉至于小趾之外，肾经脉气起于小趾之下。足经的脉气，又如此也。
Treating diseases requires distinguishing the meridians. The ancients used the metaphor of meridian boundaries, just as archery requires a target and driving requires a standard. *Ling Shu: Jing Mai* (Spiritual Pivot: Meridians) is a must-read for physicians, but its text is uneven and complex, causing difficulty for learners. Li Dongyuan compiled it into rhymed verses, and in our dynasty, Wang Ang made them even more fluent and harmonious, making memorization easy. However, merely being familiar with these meridians allows one to know the starting points, ending points, and courses of each meridian clearly, yet on the human body, every area may have two or three, or even four or five meridians crossing intricately, all scattered under their respective descriptions. In the haste of clinical practice, omissions are inevitable. I, Lie, not daring to ignore my ignorance, have presumptuously gathered and edited the paths of the twelve regular meridions from the crown to the feet. Regarding the Eight Extraordinary Vessels, except for Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel), Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel), Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel), Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Heel Vessel), and Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Heel Vessel), which are concise and easy to understand, requiring no compilation; the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), Ren Mai (Conception Vessel), and Du Mai (Governor Vessel) are also excerpted. Mimicking the four-six character structure, I composed colloquial sentences, not adhering strictly to parallelism nor shunning vulgarity, solely seeking ease of memorization, so that mentioning any part of the body immediately identifies the specific meridian and collateral. This serves as a shortcut for clinical diagnosis, meridian differentiation, and treatment planning; however, I dare not claim that mastering this summary allows one to discard the original *Jing* (Classic) texts. It is like *Ben Cao Gang Mu* (Compendium of Materia Medica), which classifies herbs to treat diseases, while *Ben Cao Lei Fang* (Classified Formulas of Materia Medica) collects formulas by disease; using both longitudinally and transversely makes matters clear to the mind and eye.
Meridians of the Head It is heard that the Three Yin Meridians of the Hand travel from the Zang organs to the hands (Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian, Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian), and the Three Yang Meridians of the Hand travel from the hands to the head (Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian). The Three Yang Meridians of the Foot travel from the head to the feet (Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian, Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian, Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian), and the Three Yin Meridians of the Foot travel from the feet to the abdomen (Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian, Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian). *Ling Shu* discusses them one by one; here they are combined for easier reading. The Bladder Meridian intersects at the vertex; the Liver Meridian and Du Mai (Governor Vessel) converge at the vertex. To connect to the brain, one must know the Bladder and Du meridians (Simplified characters are used for ease of recitation, following this pattern elsewhere). At the hairline, the Stomach Meridian follows; the Stomach Meridian reaches the forehead and skull (below the hairline is the forehead); the Gallbladder Meridian touches the temporal angle. Ascending to the forehead involves the Du and Bladder meridians (straight up internally); emerging from the forehead involves only the Liver Meridian (straight out externally). The eye system connects to the Liver Meridian; a branch of the Heart Meridian runs along the inner canthus, named Nei Yingguang (Inner Corner). A small branch reaches here where the Bladder Meridian originates. The Stomach Meridian also binds near it (A branch of the Small Intestine Meridian reaches the inner canthus; the Bladder Meridian originates at the inner canthus; the Stomach Meridian originates at the nasal bridge intersection, binding laterally to the Taiyang Meridian and descending outside the nose. 'Yue' is alternatively 'Na'). The outer corner of the eye is named Rui Yingguang (Outer Corner); the Gallbladder Meridian receives the Sanjiao branch (The Sanjiao branch reaches Rui Yingguang; the Gallbladder Meridian originates at Rui Yingguang). The Small Intestine Meridian also reaches below the eye to form the canthus (Zhuo sound); the Sanjiao, Gallbladder, and Small Intestine meridians merge here (all three have branches reaching this point). On the sides are the cheeks; the Large Intestine, Small Intestine, Liver, and Sanjiao meridians traverse up and down (Cheeks are bounded by horizontal bones; Large Intestine pierces the cheek; Small Intestine ascends the cheek; Liver and Sanjiao descend the cheek; all four have branches). A branch of the Small Intestine Meridian obliquely connects to the zygomatic bone; the Du Meridian reaches the nasal column; the Stomach Meridian originates at the Shan Gen (Nasal Root). A branch of the Large Intestine Meridian flanks the nostrils, and at the Ren Zhong (Philtrum) it crosses the mouth (Emerging from lower teeth, encircling the mouth, crossing the midline at Ren Zhong, left crossing right, right crossing left, ascending to flank the nostrils ending at Yingxiang Acupoint, connecting to the Foot Yangming Meridian). The Stomach Meridian follows outside the nose, flanking the mouth and circling the lips. The Liver Meridian also circles inside the lips; the Stomach Meridian intersects at Chengjiang (Depression in the lower lip). The Stomach Meridian enters the upper teeth; a branch of the Large Intestine Meridian enters the lower teeth. At Daying Acupoint before the chin, the Stomach Meridian emerges and a Gallbladder branch descends (Below the chin is the mandible; Daying is located 1.3 cun anterior to the mandible in the arterial depression, an acupoint of the Stomach Meridian). Below the chin is Yi; the Stomach Meridian follows and the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) ascends (Stomach Meridian follows behind Yi along the lower jaw). At the upper angle of the ear, the Sanjiao branch exits and the Bladder branch arrives; at Kerenzhuren Acupoint, the Gallbladder Meridian exits and the Stomach Meridian passes (Kerenzhuren is the raised bone above the front-upper edge of the ear, an acupoint of the Gallbladder Meridian; the Gallbladder branch exits anterior to the ear to reach behind Rui Yingguang; the Stomach Meridian ascends anterior to the ear, passing Kerenzhuren). The Sun vessels (fine branches) of the Sanjiao exit anterior to Kerenzhuren (*Ling Shu* states: Meridians are internal; branches running horizontally are Collaterals; distinct parts of collaterals are Sun vessels. These are divergent branches, hence called Sun vessels, following this pattern subsequently). Branches of the Small Intestine, Sanjiao, and Gallbladder merge into the ear. The Gallbladder main vessel and Sanjiao branch attach behind the ear; the Gallbladder branch and Stomach main vessel follow along Jiache Acupoint (Jiache is the curved bone below the ear). In the throat lies the "Small Heart"; the Spleen and Kidney meridians (Small Intestine Meridian follows the throat; a branch of the Heart Meridian flanks the throat; Spleen Meridian flanks the throat; Kidney Meridian reaches the throat). The throat is traversed by the Stomach branch and Kidney Meridian (These two vessels follow the throat). The Liver Meridian follows behind the throat and enters Yan Sang (Pharynx and Soft Palate) (Liver Meridian follows behind the throat, ascending into Yan Sang; Yan Sang is also called Hang Sang, located behind the soft palate). The Spleen Meridian connects to the root of the tongue and disperses under it. The Kidney Meridian flanks the root of the tongue; the Stomach branch descends at Renying Acupoint (Arterial pulse 1.5 cun lateral to the larynx). This is the convergence of all Yang meridians, briefly stated first.
Meridians of the Body The back of the neck is Xiang, where the Bladder, Du, and Sanjiao branches reside. The sides of the neck are Jing, where Large Intestine, Small Intestine branches and the Gallbladder Meridian run. Anteriorly on the shoulder joint bone, the Large Intestine Meridian exits. Posteriorly below the shoulder is Bo, where the Bladder Meridian follows. Sanjiao, Gallbladder, and Small Intestine meridians intersect at Jian (Shoulder), converging at Dazhui. Kidney and Du meridians penetrate the spine. The first row beside the spinal column, spaced 1.5 cun apart, contains Lv (Paraspinal muscles); the Bladder Meridian follows here, flanking the spine. The second row, spaced 3 cun apart, forms Jia (Shoulder blades); the Small Intestine Meridian winds around and the Bladder branch penetrates. Anterior to the shoulder, the depression is Quepen; Sanjiao, Gallbladder, Stomach, and Large Intestine meridians enter here. Thus, the Gallbladder Meridian follows the chest, and Sanjiao distributes at Shanzhong (Center between the two breasts, Upper Jiao). Medially to the breast, the Stomach Meridian descends straight; medially to the axilla, the Gallbladder and Pericardium meridians cover (Pericardium has main and branch distinctions; to avoid complexity, only 'Pericardium' is mentioned for branches here; later 'Pericardium' distinguishes main vessels). Passing through the axilla is the Pericardium; the Heart Meridian descends straight and the Lung Meridian runs horizontally. Emerging from the rib interior is the Gallbladder Meridian; exiting the Pericardium, the Liver Meridian distributes. Below the costal margin is Ji Xie (Hypochondrium); recognize the passage of the Gallbladder Meridian. Zhongji Acupoint is 4 cun below the umbilicus, marking the origin of the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) (Ren Mai originates below Zhongji). However, the Ren Mai aligns with the umbilicus, while the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Stomach Meridian flank it. The Spleen Meridian enters the abdomen; the Stomach branch follows the abdomen; the Liver Meridian ascends to the lower abdomen; Gallbladder and Stomach meridians enter/exit Qijie (Gas Street) (Arterial pulses bilateral to the pubic hairline, also called Qichong, an acupoint of the Stomach Meridian). The Gallbladder Meridian winds around the pubic region (Outside Qugu is the pubic hairline); the Liver Meridian circles the genitalia. These are the meridians of the trunk, to be listed and clarified.
Meridians within Zang-Fu Organs Regarding Zang-Fu meridians, Taiyang and Shaoyin are exterior-interior pairs (Hand Taiyang Small Intestine, Hand Shaoyin Heart; Foot Taiyang Bladder, Foot Shaoyin Kidney); Shaoyang and Jueyin are exterior-interior pairs (Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao, Hand Jueyin Pericardium; Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder, Foot Jueyin Liver); Yangming and Taiyin are exterior-interior pairs (Hand Yangming Large Intestine, Hand Taiyin Lung; Foot Yangming Stomach, Foot Taiyin Spleen). All six meridians interconnect, identical in hand and foot, requiring no tedious elaboration (e.g., Lung Meridian connects to Large Intestine, Large Intestine connects to Lung; all twelve meridians follow this). Specifically, the Lung organ: the Heart Meridian ascends straight and the Kidney Meridian enters straight. The Stomach organ: the Liver Meridian flanks it and the Lung Meridian slightly follows (Liver Meridian flanks Stomach; Lung Meridian returns to follow the stomach opening; Small Intestine Meridian reaches the stomach). The Heart has Kidney branch connections; the Liver has Kidney meridian penetration; the Spleen branch injects into the Heart; the Lung Meridian originates in the Middle Jiao. Below the heart is the diaphragm; only the Bladder Meridian does not pass through it. Eleven meridians penetrate vertically through it (The diaphragm below the heart separates turbid qi, preventing it from steaming the Heart and Lungs; only the Bladder Meridian follows the spine to the waist, enters Lv, connects to the Kidney, and belongs to the Bladder, thus not penetrating the diaphragm). These relationships between Zang and Fu must be thoroughly mastered.
Meridians of the Hand Between the shoulder and elbow is called Gong (Arm). Internally on the arm are three meridians: Lung follows anteriorly, Heart follows posteriorly, and Pericardium follows in between. Externally on the arm are three meridians: Small Intestine follows posteriorly, Large Intestine follows anteriorly, and Sanjiao follows externally. Below the arm is the elbow. Sanjiao ascends through the medial aspect to Chize Acupoint; Pericardium enters it (Branch of Pericardium enters the depression at Chize Acupoint in the elbow crease). Lung descends anteromedially; Heart descends posteromedially (Lung Meridian descends to the elbow center; Heart Meridian descends to the medial elbow; Lung runs anteriorly, Heart runs posteriorly, Pericardium runs in the middle as a distinction). Small Intestine Meridian emerges from the medial side (between two tendons); Large Intestine Meridian enters the lateral side. Below the elbow is the forearm. Pericardium remains in the middle (branch mentioned above); Large Intestine follows superiorly and Small Intestine follows inferiorly; Heart Meridian still follows the posteromedial aspect. Between the proximal and distal wrist, the Lung Meridian continues; between the two bones of the forearm exterior, the Sanjiao Meridian emerges. Lung Meridian enters Cun Kou (Pulse position) and follows Yu Ji (Arterial pulse before Guan is Cun Kou; the fleshy eminence behind the thumb is Yu, Yu Ji is the acupoint between them). Heart Meridian reaches the styloid process and enters the posteromedial aspect (Heart Meridian reaches the end of the styloid process at the wrist, entering the posteromedial palm). Pericardium Meridian enters straight into the palm (From Quze, between the two tendons at the transverse crease of the wrist, entering the palm). Sanjiao Meridian still follows the dorsal wrist. Large Intestine Meridian emerges at Hegu Acupoint and enters between the two tendons superiorly (Hegu, commonly known as Tiger's Mouth, is an acupoint of the Large Intestine Meridian). Small Intestine Meridian follows the lateral side and emerges at Huai below the wrist (Following the lateral hand up the wrist, emerging at Huai. Huai sounds like Hua, rising tone; the radial bone at the wrist). Lung Meridian emerges from the thumb; Pericardium Meridian emerges from the middle finger; the index finger is the junction of the Lung branch and Large Intestine Meridian (Branch of Lung Meridian goes straight to the index finger, emerging at its medial tip; Large Intestine Meridian originates at the tip of the index finger). The fourth finger connects the Sun vessels of Pericardium and Sanjiao; Sanjiao again emerges between the little and index fingers; the little finger is the junction of the Heart and Small Intestine meridians. Such are the meridians of the hand, generally speaking.
Meridians of the Foot Above the sacrum is the Yao (Lower Back), where the Bladder Meridian reaches. Below the Yao is the Tun (Buttock), penetrated by the Bladder branch. Below the Jie Gu (Hip Bone) on the sides is Bi Shu (Hip Pivot), where the Gallbladder Meridian crosses horizontally over the Bladder (Also called Bi Yan; Gallbladder Meridian enters Bi Yan horizontally; Bladder branch passes Bi Shu). Below Qijie on the anterior aspect is Bi Guan (Hip Gate), where the Stomach Meridian descends straight. Anterior-medially on the thigh is the Spleen Meridian; posterior-medially is the Kidney Meridian; the Liver Meridian also follows internally on the Yin aspect of the thigh. Laterally on the thigh is Bi; posteriorly is the Bladder branch and anteriorly is the Stomach Meridian (Fleshy prominence 6 cun above the knee anteriorly is Futu, reached by the Stomach Meridian). Also, the Gallbladder Meridian descends along Bi Yang (Running laterally on the thigh between Taiyang and Yangming). Therefore, between the knee tendons is Bin (Patella/Kneecap), still belonging to the direct descent of the Stomach Meridian. Medially at the knee is the Spleen Meridian (Anterior-medial aspect); laterally at the knee is the Gallbladder Meridian (Lateral aspect). Posteriorly at the knee bend is Nao (Popliteal Fossa), entered directly by the Bladder branch; the Kidney Meridian emerges and the Liver Meridian ascends, both on the medial aspect (Kidney Meridian emerges at the medial aspect of Nao; Liver Meridian ascends the medial aspect of Nao). Spleen and Kidney ascend the medial Nao (Nao refers to the calf muscle. Both meridians ascend the medial aspect of Nao); the Bladder branch penetrates the lateral Nao (Descending from the center of Nao, passing through the medial aspect, emerging posterior to the lateral malleolus). Gallbladder Meridian descends anterior to the lateral fibular bone, reaching directly to the end of Juegu (Thigh bone is auxiliary bone; above the lateral malleolus is Juegu). Liver Meridian slants on the medial tibial-fibular aspect; Stomach Meridian follows the lateral aspect of the tibia. At the medial malleolus, Spleen is anterior and Kidney is posterior; at the lateral malleolus, Gallbladder is anterior and Bladder is posterior (Ankle refers to the inner and outer sides of the heel). Behind the big toe joint is He Gu (Metatarsal head), passed by the Spleen Meridian. Jing Gu Acupoint on the lateral foot bone is followed by the Bladder branch. Kidney Meridian enters the heel; Stomach and Gallbladder follow the dorsum of the foot. The lateral margin of the dorsum is where the Liver Meridian follows; the sole of the foot has the Kidney Meridian sloping towards Yongquan Acupoint. Behind the nail of the big toe belongs to the Gallbladder branch and Liver Meridian junction; the medial side of the big toe is the Stomach branch and Spleen Meridian junction. The medial and lateral aspects of the second toe divide the entry of the direct Stomach Meridian and its branch. Between the third and fourth toes, the Gallbladder Meridian enters directly and ends. The Bladder branch reaches outside the little toe; the Kidney Meridian originates below the little toe. Such are the meridians of the foot.