论曰。脉有奇常。十二经者。常脉也。奇经八脉。则不拘于常。故曰之奇经。盖言人之
气血
常行于十二经脉。其诸经满溢。则流入奇经焉。奇经有八脉。督脉督于后。任脉任于前。
夹任脉者冲脉。能为诸脉之海。阳维则维络诸阳。阴维则维络诸阴。阴阳更相维持。故诸经
常调。维脉之外。又有带脉者。束之犹带也。至于两足跷脉。有阴有阳。阳跷得诸太阳之别
阴跷本诸少阴之别。譬犹圣人。图设沟渠。以备水潦。斯无滥溢之患。人有奇经。亦若是
也。今总集奇经八脉所发者气穴去处。共成一编。
督脉。 督脉者。起于小肠以下。骨中央。女子系廷孔之端。其络循阴器。合篡
间。
具绕篡后屏翳穴。别绕臀至少阴与太阳中络者。合少阴上股内廉。贯脊属肾。会于太阳。起
于目内 。上额交巅上。入络于脑。还出别自脑下项。循肩膊内。挟脊抵腰中。入循膂络肾
其男子循茎下至篡。与女子等。其少腹直上者。贯腹上贯心。入喉上颐环唇。上系两目之
下中央。此生病。从少腹上冲心而痛。不得前后。为冲疝。女子为不孕癃痔。遗尿嗌干。治
在督脉。督脉之别。名曰长强。侠膂上项。散上头下当肩胛左右。别走太阳。入贯膂络肾。
实则脊强。虚则头重。取之所别。故难经曰。督脉起于下极之 。并于脊里。上至风府。入
属
于脑。上巅。循额至鼻柱。阳脉之海也。此为病。令人脊强反折。督脉从头循脊骨入 。长
四尺五寸。凡二十七穴。
任脉。 任脉者。与冲脉皆起于胞中。循腹里为经络之海。其浮而外者。循腹上
行。
会于咽喉别而络唇口。血气盛。则肌肉热。血独盛。则渗灌皮肤生毫毛。妇人有余于气。不
足于血。以其月事数下。任冲并伤故也。任冲之交脉。不营其口唇。故髭须不生。以任脉为
病。男子内结七疝。女子带下瘕聚。故内经曰。任脉起于中极之下。以上毛际。循腹里。上
关元。至咽喉。上颐循面入目。属阴脉之海也。凡此任脉之行。从胞中上注目。长四尺五寸
总二十四穴。
阳跷脉。 阳跷脉者。起于跟中。循外踝上行。入风池。其为病也。令人阴缓而
阳急
两足跷脉。本少阳之别。合于太阳。其气上行。气并相还。则为濡目。气不营则目不合。
男
子数其阳。女子数其阴。当数者为经。不当数者为络也。阳跷脉长八尺。所发之穴。生于申
脉。以附阳为隙。本于仆参。入于足少阳会于居 。入于手阳明。会于肩 。及巨骨。又与
手足太阳阳维会于 。与手足阳明会于地仓。又与手足阳明会于巨 。又与任脉
足阳明会于承泣。以上为阳跷脉之所发。凡二十穴。阳跷脉病者。宜刺之。
阴跷脉。 阴跷脉者。亦起于跟中。循内踝上行至咽喉。交贯冲脉。此为病者。
令人
阳缓而阴急。故曰跷脉者。少阴之别。别于然谷之后。上内踝之上。直上循阴股入阴上。循
胸里入缺盆。上出人迎之前。入鼻属目内皆。合于太阳女子以之为经。男子以之为络。两足
交脉。长八尺。而阴跷之隙在交信。凡阴跷脉病。治在交信。
冲脉。 冲脉者。与任脉皆起胞中。上循脊里。为经络之海。浮而外者。循腹上
行。
会于咽喉。而络唇口。故曰。冲脉者。起于气冲。并足少阴之经。侠脐上行至胸中为散。此
为病。令人逆气里急。在难经则曰。并足阳明之经。以穴考之。阳明之经。侠脐左右各二寸
而上行。少阴之经。侠脐左右各五分而上行。针经所载。冲脉与督脉。同起于会阴。其在腹
也。行乎幽门、通谷、阴都、石关、商曲、肓 、中注、四满、气穴、大赫、横骨。凡二十
二穴。皆足少阴之分也。然则冲脉并足少阴之经明矣。
阳维脉。 阳维者。维于阳。其脉起于诸阳之会。与阴维。皆维络于身。溢畜不
能环
流。灌溉诸维者也。若不能相维。故为病则怅然失志。溶溶不能自收持。其脉气所发。别于
金门。以阳交为隙。与手足太阳及跷脉会于 俞。与手足少阳会于天 。又会于肩井。其在
头也。与足少阳会于阳白。上于本神及临泣。上至正营。循于脑空。下至风池。其与督脉会
则在风府及喑门。凡此阳维脉气所发。二十四穴也。
阴维脉。 阴维者。亦维络于身。溢畜不能环流灌溉诸经者也。阴维则维于阴
其
脉起于诸阴之交。其病与阳维同。其脉气所发者阴维之隙。名曰筑宾。与足太阴会于大横及
腹哀。又与足太阴厥阴会于府舍及期门。与任脉会于天突及廉泉。天突在结喉下宛宛中。廉
泉在舌本下。凡此阴维脉气所发。共一十穴。
带脉。 带脉者。起于季胁。回身一周。其为病也。腰腹纵。溶溶如囊水之状。
其脉
气所发。在季胁下一寸八分正。名带脉。谓其回身一周如带也。又与足少阳会于维道。凡此
带脉所发。共四穴也。
论述说：脉象有正常与异常的区别。十二正经属于常脉。奇经八脉则不受常规约束，因此被称为“奇经”。这是指人体的气血通常运行于十二经脉之中，当各条经脉的气血满溢时，就会流入奇经。奇经共有八条：督脉行于背部正中；任脉行于腹部正中；夹在任脉两侧的冲脉，能够作为诸脉之海；阳维脉维系联络所有阳经；阴维脉维系联络所有阴经。阴阳相互维持，所以各条经脉才能保持调和。除了维脉之外，还有带脉，它环绕身体一周，如同腰带一样束缚着其他经脉。至于两足的跷脉，分为阴跷和阳跷。阳跷脉来源于太阳经的别支，阴跷脉根源于少阴经的别支。这就像圣人规划设置沟渠，以防范洪水泛滥，从而避免水患。人体拥有奇经，也是同样的道理。现在总集奇经八脉所发出的穴位位置，编成一卷。
督脉：督脉起始于小肠以下、骨骼中央的部位。女子连接廷孔（尿道口）的末端，其络脉循行经过阴器，会合于篡间（肛门周围），环绕篡后屏翳穴，再分支绕行臀部，到达足少阴经与足太阳经的中部络脉处，与足少阴经汇合后沿大腿内侧上行，贯穿脊柱，归属于肾，并与足太阳经交会。督脉起于目内眦，向上至额部，交会于头顶，入络于脑，再从脑部出来，向下行至项部，沿肩膊内侧，夹着脊柱抵达腰部中间，进入体内循行于脊里，络属肾脏。男子则沿着阴茎下行至篡部，与女子的情况相同。其从少腹直上的分支，贯穿腹部，向上穿过心脏，进入喉咙，上达颐部，环绕嘴唇，向上系于两眼正下方的中央。此脉发生病变时，会出现气从少腹上冲心胸而疼痛，大小便不通的症状，称为“冲疝”。女子则可能出现不孕、癃闭、痔疮、遗尿、咽喉干燥等症状。治疗应取督脉穴位。督脉的别络名为长强，夹着脊里上行至项部，分散于头部，向下到达肩胛骨左右两侧，别走足太阳经，入贯脊里，络属肾脏。实证表现为脊柱强直，虚证表现为头重。治疗应取该别络的穴位。所以《难经》说：督脉起于下极之俞，并行的路线在脊柱内部，上至风府，入属于脑，上达头顶，循额部至鼻柱，是阳脉之海。此脉发病，使人脊柱强直、角弓反张。督脉从头循行脊骨入骶，全长四尺五寸，共有二十七个穴位。
任脉：任脉与冲脉都起始于胞中，循行于腹部深处，为经络之海。其中浮行于体表的分支，沿腹部上行，会合于咽喉，分支联络唇口。若血气旺盛，则肌肉发热；若血单独旺盛，则渗灌皮肤，生长毫毛。妇人由于月经频繁来潮，气有余而血不足，导致任脉和冲脉同时受损。任脉与冲脉交汇的脉络不濡养口唇，所以胡须不生。以任脉为病，男子会出现内结七种疝气，女子会出现带下病及瘕聚肿块。所以《内经》说：任脉起于中极穴之下，向上至毛际，循行于腹部深处，上至关元穴，至咽喉，上达颐部，循面入目，属于阴脉之海。凡此任脉的行径，从胞中上行至目，全长四尺五寸，共二十四个穴位。
阳跷脉：阳跷脉起始于足跟中部，循外踝上行，进入风池穴。它发病时，使人阴侧松弛而阳侧拘急。两足跷脉本源于少阳经的别支，合于太阳经，其气上行，气机并行往复，则能濡润双目。若气不能濡养，则眼睛闭合困难。男子数其阳跷脉，女子数其阴跷脉，应当计数的为经，不应计数的为络。阳跷脉长八尺，所发出的穴位，生于申脉穴，以附阳穴为间隙，本于仆参穴，进入足少阳经，会于居髎穴，进入手阳明经，会于肩髃穴及巨骨穴，又与手足太阳经及阳维脉会于天髎穴，与手足阳明经会于地仓穴，又与手足阳明经会于巨髎穴，又与任脉、足阳明经会于承泣穴。以上为阳跷脉所发出的穴位，共二十个。阳跷脉发病者，适宜针刺治疗。
阴跷脉：阴跷脉也起始于足跟中部，循内踝上行至咽喉，交贯冲脉。此脉发病时，使人阳侧松弛而阴侧拘急。所以称跷脉为少阴经的别络，别出于然谷穴之后，上行至内踝之上，直上循行于阴股进入阴部，向上循行于胸里，进入缺盆，上行出人迎穴之前，进入鼻部，隶属于目内眦，合于太阳经。女子以此脉为经，男子以此脉为络。两足跷脉长八尺，阴跷脉的间隙在交信穴。凡是阴跷脉发病，治疗取交信穴。
冲脉：冲脉与任脉都起始于胞中，向上循行于脊柱内部，为经络之海。浮行于体表的分支，沿腹部上行，会合于咽喉，联络唇口。所以说：冲脉起始于气冲穴，并足少阴经，夹脐上行至胸中散开。此脉发病，使人出现逆气攻冲、腹中急迫的症状。在《难经》中则说：冲脉并足阳明经而行。以穴位考证，足阳明经夹脐左右各二寸而上行，足少阴经夹脐左右各五分而上行。《针经》记载，冲脉与督脉同起于会阴穴。在腹部，冲脉行于幽门、通谷、阴都、石关、商曲、肓俞、中注、四满、气穴、大赫、横骨等穴。共二十二个穴位，都属于足少阴经的分野。然而冲脉并足少阴经而行是明确的。
阳维脉：阳维脉维系于阳经。其脉起始于诸阳经的交会处，与阴维脉一起维系联络全身。气血溢出蓄积而不能环流，灌溉各条维脉。如果不能相互维系，发病时就会怅然若失，神情恍惚，肢体软弱无法自控。其脉气所发出的穴位，别出于金门穴，以阳交穴为间隙，与手足太阳经及跷脉会于天髎穴，与手足少阳经会于天牖穴，又会于肩井穴。在头部，与足少阳经会于阳白穴，上行至本神穴及足临泣穴，上行至正营穴，循行于脑空穴，下行至风池穴。其与督脉会合则在风府穴及哑门穴。凡此阳维脉气所发出的穴位，共二十四个。
阴维脉：阴维脉也维系联络全身，气血溢出蓄积而不能环流灌溉各条经脉。阴维脉维系于阴经，其脉起始于诸阴经的交会处。其发病症状与阳维脉相同。其脉气所发出的穴位，阴维脉的间隙名为筑宾穴。与足太阴经会于大横穴及腹哀穴，又与足太阴经、足厥阴经会于府舍穴及期门穴，与任脉会于天突穴及廉泉穴。天突穴在结喉下方的凹陷中，廉泉穴在舌根下方。凡此阴维脉气所发出的穴位，共十个。
带脉：带脉起始于季胁，回身一周。它发病时，腰腹部松弛无力，像囊中盛水一样的状态。其脉气所发出的穴位，在季胁下一寸八分正对的位置，名为带脉穴，谓其回身一周如腰带一样。又与足少阳经会于维道穴。凡此带脉所发出的穴位，共四个。
It is stated that pulses have normal and abnormal states. The twelve regular meridians are the normal pulses. The eight extraordinary vessels are not constrained by the norms, hence they are called "Extraordinary Vessels" (Qijing). This refers to the fact that Qi and Blood in the human body usually circulate within the Twelve Regular Meridians. When the Qi and Blood of these meridians become full and overflow, they flow into the Extraordinary Vessels. There are eight extraordinary vessels: The Du Mai (Governing Vessel) governs the posterior midline; the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) governs the anterior midline; the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) runs alongside the Ren Mai and serves as the "Sea of all Vessels"; the Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel) links and maintains all Yang meridians; the Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel) links and maintains all Yin meridians. Yin and Yang mutually maintain each other, thus keeping all meridians harmonious. Besides the Linking Vessels, there is the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel), which encircles the body like a belt, binding the other vessels. As for the Qiao Mai (Heel Vessels) of the two legs, there are Yin Qiao and Yang Qiao. The Yang Qiao Mai originates from the branch of the Taiyang (Greater Yang) meridian, while the Yin Qiao Mai roots from the branch of the Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) meridian. This is akin to sages designing and setting up ditches to prepare for floodwaters, thereby avoiding the disaster of overflowing water. Humans possessing Extraordinary Vessels operate in the same manner. Now, we collectively compile the acupoints where the Eight Extraordinary Vessels emerge into one volume.
Du Mai (Governing Vessel): The Du Mai originates below the small intestine, at the central part of the bone. In women, it connects to the end of the Ting Kong (urethral opening); its collateral network circulates through the genitalia, converges at the Cu Jian (perianal region), circles behind the Cu at the Pingyi acupoint, branches to circle the buttocks, reaches the middle collaterals of the Shaoyin and Taiyang meridians, merges with the Shaoyin meridian, ascends along the medial aspect of the thigh, penetrates the spine, belongs to the Kidney, and intersects with the Taiyang meridian. It starts from the inner canthus of the eye, ascends to the forehead, intersects at the vertex, enters to network the Brain, returns out from the lower part of the brain to the nape, follows the interior of the shoulder blades, flanks the spine to reach the middle of the waist, enters to circulate within the paraspinal muscles, and networks the Kidney. In men, it follows the penis down to the Cu, equal to the situation in women. Its branch rising straight from the lower abdomen penetrates the abdomen, passes through the heart, enters the throat, ascends to the chin, circles the lips, and ascends to tie the center below both eyes. Pathologies of this vessel include Qi rushing from the lower abdomen to the heart causing pain, and inability to pass stool or urine, known as "Chong Hernia" (Chong Shan). In women, it may cause infertility, strangury, hemorrhoids, enuresis, and dryness of the pharynx. Treatment should focus on the Du Mai. The collateral branch of the Du Mai is named Changqiang (DU1), flanking the paraspinal muscles to ascend to the nape, scattering over the head, descending to the left and right below the scapulae, departing to run with the Taiyang meridian, entering to penetrate the paraspinal muscles and network the Kidney. Excess conditions manifest as spinal stiffness; deficiency conditions manifest as heaviness of the head. Treatment involves selecting the point of departure of the collateral. Thus, the *Nan Jing* states: The Du Mai originates from the lower extreme Shu point, runs parallel within the spine, ascends to the Fengfu (DU16) acupoint, enters to belong to the Brain, ascends to the vertex, follows the forehead to the nasal bridge, and is the "Sea of Yang Vessels." Disease of this vessel causes spinal stiffness and opisthotonos. The Du Mai runs from the head along the spinal column into the sacrum, measuring four chi five cun in length, with twenty-seven acupoints in total.
Ren Mai (Conception Vessel): The Ren Mai and Chong Mai both originate in the Baozhong (uterus/pelvic cavity), circulate within the abdominal interior, and serve as the Sea of the Meridians. The portion floating outwardly follows the abdomen upward, converges at the throat, and branches to network the lips and mouth. When Qi and Blood are abundant, the muscles feel hot; when Blood alone is abundant, it seeps into the skin, generating fine hair. Women tend to have excess Qi but deficient Blood due to frequent menstruation, injuring both the Ren and Chong vessels. The intersecting vessels of Ren and Chong do not nourish the lips and mouth, hence facial hair does not grow. Pathologies of the Ren Mai include seven types of internal hernias in men, and leukorrhea and mass accumulation in women. Thus, the *Nei Jing* states: The Ren Mai originates below the Zhongji (CV3) acupoint, ascends to the pubic hair line, circulates within the abdominal interior, ascends to the Guanyuan (CV4) acupoint, reaches the throat, ascends to the chin, follows the face, and enters the eyes, belonging to the "Sea of Yin Vessels." The course of the Ren Mai described above runs from the Baozhong upward to the eyes, measuring four chi five cun in length, with twenty-four acupoints in total.
Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Heel Vessel): The Yang Qiao Mai originates in the middle of the heel, follows the lateral malleolus upward, and enters the Fengchi (GB20) acupoint. When diseased, it causes relaxation of the Yin side and tension of the Yang side. Both Qiao Mai vessels originate from the branch of the Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) meridian, merge with the Taiyang meridian, and their Qi ascends. When Qi moves together and reciprocates, it moistens the eyes; if Qi fails to nourish, the eyes cannot close. For men, the Yang Qiao is counted; for women, the Yin Qiao is counted. The one counted is considered a Main Meridian (Jing), and the one not counted is a Collateral (Luo). The Yang Qiao Mai measures eight chi in length. Its emerging acupoints originate at Shenmai (BL62), use Fuyang (BL59) as an interval, root at Puxcan (BL60), enter the Foot Shaoyang meridian, converge at Juliao (GB33), enter the Hand Yangming meridian, converge at Jianyu (LI15) and Jugu (SI11), and again meet with the Hand and Foot Taiyang and Yang Wei Mai at Tianliao (TE10). They meet with the Hand and Foot Yangming at Dicang (ST4), again meet with the Hand and Foot Yangming at Juliao (ST3), and again meet with the Ren Mai and Foot Yangming at Chengqi (ST1). These are the acupoints where the Yang Qiao Mai emerges, totaling twenty acupoints. Diseases of the Yang Qiao Mai are suitable for acupuncture treatment.
Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Heel Vessel): The Yin Qiao Mai also originates in the middle of the heel, follows the medial malleolus upward to the throat, and intersects with the Chong Mai. When diseased, it causes relaxation of the Yang side and tension of the Yin side. Hence, the Qiao Mai is referred to as the branch of the Shaoyin meridian, diverging after the RanGu (KI2) acupoint, ascending above the medial malleolus, going straight up along the medial thigh into the yin region, ascending along the interior of the chest, entering the Quepen (LU12) acupoint, ascending before the Yingchang (ST9) acupoint, entering the nose, belonging to the inner canthus, and merging with the Taiyang meridian. For women, this is counted as the Main Meridian; for men, as the Collateral. Both foot Qiao Mai vessels measure eight chi in length, and the interval for the Yin Qiao is at Jiaoxin (KI8). All diseases of the Yin Qiao Mai are treated at Jiaoxin (KI8).
Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel): The Chong Mai and Ren Mai both originate in the Baozhong, ascend along the interior of the spine, and serve as the Sea of the Meridians. The portion floating outwardly follows the abdomen upward, converges at the throat, and networks the lips and mouth. Therefore, it is said: The Chong Mai originates at the Qichong (ST30) acupoint, runs alongside the Foot Shaoyin meridian, flanks the umbilicus upward to the chest where it disperses. Pathology of this vessel causes rebellious Qi and internal urgency. The *Nan Jing* states that it runs alongside the Foot Yangming meridian. Examining the acupoints, the Foot Yangming meridian runs two cun to the left and right of the umbilicus and ascends, while the Foot Shaoyin meridian runs five fen to the left and right of the umbilicus and ascends. The *Zhen Jing* records that the Chong Mai and Du Mai both originate from the Huiyin (CV1) acupoint. In the abdomen, it runs through the Youmen (KI15), Tonggu (KI16), Yindu (KI17), Shiguan (KI18), Shangqu (KI19), Huangshu (KI16 - note: text says Huangshu, likely referring to Huangshu BL23 or similar context, but listed here as per text sequence often associated with KI/ShaoYin channel proximity in Chong Mai descriptions), Zhongzhu (KI19), Siman (KI20), Qixue (KI21), Dahe (KI22), and Henggu (KI23). Totaling twenty-two acupoints, all belonging to the Foot Shaoyin meridian's domain. Thus, it is clear that the Chong Mai runs alongside the Foot Shaoyin meridian.
Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel): The Yang Wei Mai links the Yang aspects. Its pulse originates at the convergence of all Yang meridians. Together with the Yin Wei Mai, it links and maintains the body. It stores overflowing Qi and Blood that cannot circulate continuously, irrigating the various Linking Vessels. If they fail to link mutually, disease manifests as melancholy and loss of willpower, with flaccidity preventing self-control. The acupoints where its Qi emerges diverge from Jinmen (BL63), use Yangjiao (GB35) as an interval, meet with the Hand and Foot Taiyang and Qiao Mai at Tianliao (TE10), meet with the Hand and Foot Shaoyang at Tianyou (TE16), and again meet at Jianjing (GB21). In the head, it meets the Foot Shaoyang at Yangbai (GB14), ascends to Benshen (GB13) and Zulin (GB15), ascends to Zhengying (EX-HN18), follows Naokong (EX-HN17), descends to Fengchi (GB20). Its intersection with the Du Mai is at Fengfu (DU16) and Yamen (DU15). The acupoints where the Yang Wei Mai Qi emerges total twenty-four.
Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel): The Yin Wei Mai also links and maintains the body, storing overflowing Qi and Blood that cannot circulate continuously to irrigate the meridians. The Yin Wei Mai links the Yin aspects, originating at the intersection of all Yin meridians. Its pathology is the same as that of the Yang Wei Mai. The acupoint where its Qi emerges, the interval of the Yin Wei Mai, is named Zhubin (KI9). It meets the Foot Taiyin at Daheng (SP15) and Fuai (SP16), again meets the Foot Taiyin and Foot Jueyin at Fushu (SP13) and Qimen (LR14), and meets the Ren Mai at Tiantu (CV22) and Lianquan (CV23). Tiantu is located in the depression below the larynx, and Lianquan is below the root of the tongue. The acupoints where the Yin Wei Mai Qi emerges total ten.
Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel): The Dai Mai originates at the costal margin, encircling the body once. When diseased, the waist and abdomen become flaccid and loose, resembling a bag filled with water. The acupoint where its Qi emerges is located one cun eight fen below the costal margin, directly opposite, named DaMai (GB26), signifying its encirclement like a belt. It also meets the Foot Shaoyang at Weidao (GB26). The acupoints where the Dai Mai emerges total four.