《骨空论》曰∶任脉者，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。（言任脉之所起所止也。任脉，奇经八脉之一也。中极者，脐下四寸，起于中极之下，始于会阴穴
也。两阴间，任由会阴而行腹，督由会阴而行背，从会阴以上，曲骨之毛际横骨上，中极下一寸陷中，动脉应
手，复循腹里之中极，上关元、气海、下脘、中脘、上脘、巨阙、膻中至廉前、承浆，以上咽喉中，其脉至上
颐循面以入于目也。）冲脉者，起于气街，并少阴之经，侠脐上行，至胸中而散。（言冲脉之所起
所止也。冲脉，亦奇经八脉之一也。任脉当脐中而上行，冲脉挟脐两旁而上行，起于气街，并足少阴肾经挟脐上
行至胸中而散也。气街者，穴名也。在毛际两旁，鼠鼷上，同身寸之一寸也。而冲脉起于气街者，亦从少腹之
内与任脉并行而至于是，乃循腹也。又曰∶冲脉、任脉者，皆起于胞中，上循脊里，为经络之海，其浮而外者，
循腹各行，会于咽喉，别而络唇口。由此言之，则任脉波脉从少腹之内上行，并由中极之下，气街之内明矣。）
任脉为病，男子内结七疝，女子带下瘕聚。（言任脉之为病也。内者，腹也。腹之中行，乃任脉所行
之脉路，则宜其为病。若是男子为七疝，女子为瘕聚。七疝者，按《内经》各篇有狐疝、风疝、肺疝、脾风疝、心
风疝、心疝、肾风疝、肝风疝，有妇人 疝、有男子 疝、厥疝、 疝、疝气，且尝总计其数，乃五脏疝及狐
疝疝也。其大义俱见各篇后。丹溪七疝，寒、水、筋、血、气、狐、 。《袖珍方》七疝∶厥、 、寒、气、盘、
附、野狼。似丹溪合于经旨，虽名色各异，岂出《内经》范围耶！然世但知病在下部者为疝，岂知五脏皆有疝。又
但知男子有疝，岂知妇人亦有疝，盖皆不考《内经》故耳。瘕聚者，即积聚也。《大奇论》曰∶三阳急为瘕，后
世有八瘕者，亦因七疝之名，而遂有八瘕名色也。即蛇瘕、脂瘕、青瘕、黄瘕、燥瘕、血瘕、狐瘕、鳖瘕是也。
《内经》则无之。）冲脉为病，逆气里急。（言冲脉之为病也。冲脉起于气街，并足少阴侠脐上行，至胸中而
散，则里者其所行之脉络也。病则气逆而不能上，何以至胸中而散也。气聚腹中而不能散，何以免在里之急也。）
督脉为病，脊强反折。（督脉，亦奇经也。任脉波脉督脉者，本一源而三歧，故经或谓冲脉为督脉也。何
以明之？今《甲乙》及古《经脉流注图经》以任脉循背者谓之督脉，自少腹直上者谓之任脉，亦谓之督脉，是
则背腹阴阳别为名目。任脉自胞中过带脉贯脐而上，故男子为病内结七疝，女子为病则带下瘕聚。冲脉挟脐而
上，并少阴之经上至胸中，故冲脉为病则逆气里急也，以督脉上循脊里，故督脉为病则脊强而反折也。）督脉者，
起于少腹以下骨中央，女子入系廷孔，（亦犹任脉波脉起于胞中也，其实乃起于肾下，至于少腹，则
下行于腰横骨围之中央也。系廷孔者，谓窈漏，近所谓前阴穴也。以其阴廷系属于中，故名之。）其孔，溺孔
之端也，（孔，则窈漏也。窈漏之中，其上有溺孔焉。端，谓阴廷在此溺孔之上端也。而督脉自骨围中央则至于
是。）其络循阴器合篡后，绕篡后，（督脉别络，自溺孔之端，分而各行，下循阴器，乃合篡间也。所谓间
者，谓前阴后阴之两间也。自两间之后，复分而行，绕篡之后也。）别绕臀，至少阴与巨阳中络者，合
少阴上股内后廉，贯脊属肾，（别，谓别络分而各行之也。足少阴之络者，自股内后廉贯脊属肾，足太
阳络之外行者，循髀枢络股阳而下；其中行者，下贯臀，至 中与外行络合。故言少阴与巨阳中络，合少阴上股
内后廉贯脊属肾也。）与太阳起于目内 ，上额交巅上，入络脑，还出别下项，循肩膊内，侠
脊抵腰中，入循膂络肾；（接绕臀而上行也。）其男子循茎下至篡，与女子等；其少腹直上
者，贯脐中央，上贯心入喉，上颐环唇，上系两目之下中央。（自与太阳起于目内 ，下至女子
等，并督脉之别络也。其直行者，自尻上循脊里而至于人中也。自其少腹直上，至两目之下中央，并任脉之行，
而云是督脉所系，由此言之，则任脉、督脉、冲脉，名异而同一体也。）此生病，从少腹上冲心而痛，不
得前后，为冲疝。（寻此生病正是任脉，经云∶为冲疝者，正明督脉以别主而异目也。）其女子不孕，癃
痔遗溺咽干。（亦以冲脉任脉并自少腹上至于咽喉，又以督脉循阴器、合篡间、绕篡后、别绕臀，故不孕、癃
痔、遗溺、嗌干也。谓之任脉者，女子得之以任养也。故经云∶此病女子不孕也。谓之冲脉者，以其气上冲也。故
经云∶此生病从少腹上冲心而痛也。谓之督脉者，以其督领经脉之海也。由此三用，经或通呼，然任督冲三脉
一源而三歧，督由会阴而行背，任由会阴而行腹，冲由气冲而行足少阴，惟督脉由会阴而起，而会阴在少腹之
下，横骨之中央，女子入系廷孔，循阴器合篡间，又自两间之后，又别络者分而行之，绕其臀肉，内廉，贯脊
属肾。彼足太阳膀胱经之络，从外行者，循髀枢，络股阳而下，其中行者，下贯臀，至 中，与外行络合足少
阴肾经，自股内后廉，贯脊属肾，又与足太阳起于目内 ，上额交巅，上入络脑还出别下项，循肩膊，内侠脊
抵腰中，入循膂络肾，一如足太阳经脉之所行也。然而督脉、任脉，名色虽异，而气脉不殊，其督脉所行者，一
如任脉之行，故自少腹直上者，贯脐中央，上贯心入喉，上颐环唇，上系两目之中央，其督脉为病者，又如任脉
之病，从少腹上冲心而痛不得前后为冲疝，其女子所生之病，一如任冲之病，故其脉相交，引病亦互名耳。）
《骨空论》说：任脉，起始于中极穴下方，向上经过阴毛边缘，沿着腹部内侧上行至关元穴，到达咽喉，再向上经下颌，循行面部进入目内眦。（这是说明任脉的起止路径。任脉是奇经八脉之一。中极穴位于脐下四寸，任脉起于中极穴下方，实际上始于会阴穴。在两阴之间，任脉从会阴穴沿腹部前行，督脉从会阴穴沿背部前行，从会阴穴以上，经过曲骨穴、阴毛处的横骨上方，在中极穴下一寸的凹陷处，动脉应手，又沿着腹部内侧经过中极穴，上行至关元、气海、下脘、中脘、上脘、巨阙、膻中，直至廉泉、承浆，再向上经过咽喉中部，其脉上行至下颌，循行面部进入眼睛。）冲脉，起始于气街穴，与足少阴肾经并行，挟持肚脐两侧上行，到达胸部后散开。（这是说明冲脉的起止路径。冲脉也是奇经八脉之一。任脉当脐中而上行，冲脉挟持脐旁两侧而上行，起始于气街穴，与足少阴肾经挟脐上行至胸部后散开。气街是一个穴位名称，位于阴毛边缘两旁，鼠鼷（腹股沟）上方，同身寸一寸处。冲脉起始于气街，也是从小腹内部与任脉并行而到达这里，即循行于腹部。又说：冲脉和任脉，都起始于胞宫，向上循行于脊柱内部，成为经络之海；其浮行于体表的分支，各自沿腹部前行，在咽喉部汇合，分支联络口唇。由此说来，任脉和冲脉从小腹内部上行，并由中极穴下方、气街穴内部经过，这是很明显的。）
任脉发生病变，男子会出现内脏结聚成七种疝气，女子会出现带下病及瘕聚症。（这是说明任脉的病变。内，指腹部。腹部正中行走的路线，正是任脉所行的脉络，所以容易发生病变。如果是男子患七种疝气，女子患瘕聚症。所谓七疝，按照《内经》各篇记载，有狐疝、风疝、肺疝、脾风疝、心风疝、心疝、肾风疝、肝风疝，还有妇人疝、男子疝、厥疝、㿉疝、疝气，我曾总计其数量，乃是五脏疝加上狐疝等。其大义均见于各篇之后。朱丹溪所说的七疝为：寒、水、筋、血、气、狐、㿉。《袖珍方》中的七疝为：厥、㿉、寒、气、盘、附、野狼。似乎丹溪的说法符合经典旨意，虽然名称各异，但难道超出了《内经》的范围吗？然而世人只知道下部疾病称为疝，哪里知道五脏都有疝病。又只知道男子有疝，哪里知道女子也有疝，这都是因为不考察《内经》的缘故。瘕聚，就是积聚症。《大奇论》说：三阳脉急迫则为瘕。后世有八瘓之说，也是因七疝之名，从而有了八瘕的名称。即蛇瘕、脂瘕、青瘕、黄瘕、燥瘕、血瘕、狐瘕、鳖瘕。《内经》中并没有这些说法。）
冲脉发生病变，会出现气逆和腹中拘急疼痛。（这是说明冲脉的病变。冲脉起始于气街，与足少阴肾经挟脐上行，到达胸部后散开，那么“里”就是它所行的脉络。发病时气逆而不能上达，怎么能到达胸部散开呢？气聚积在腹中而不能散开，怎么能避免腹内的拘急呢？）
督脉发生病变，会出现脊柱强直、身体向后反折。（督脉也是奇经。任脉、冲脉、督脉，本源相同而分出三条支脉，所以经文有时称冲脉为督脉。如何证明这一点？现在《甲乙经》及古《经脉流注图经》将循行背部的称为督脉，自少腹直上的称为任脉，也称为督脉，这是因为背部和腹部阴阳不同而得名目不同。任脉自胞宫经过带脉贯穿肚脐而上行，所以男子生病表现为内脏结聚成七种疝气，女子生病则表现为带下和瘕聚。冲脉挟脐而上，并足少阴经上行至胸部，所以冲脉生病表现为气逆和腹中拘急。因为督脉向上循行于脊柱内部，所以督脉生病表现为脊柱强直和身体反折。）
督脉，起始于小腹以下骨骼中央，女子进入系连廷孔，（这也像任脉和冲脉起始于胞宫一样，其实乃起始于肾脏下方，至于小腹，则下行于腰部横骨围成的中央。所谓廷孔，指的是阴道口，近世称为前阴穴。因为其阴蒂系属于中间，所以叫这个名字。）这个孔，是尿道口的末端，（孔，即阴道口。阴道口之中，其上有尿道口。端，指阴蒂在此尿道口的上端。而督脉从骨骼围成的中央则到达这里。）它的络脉循行外阴，汇合于肛门后，环绕肛门后，（督脉的别络，从尿道口末端分开各行，向下循行外阴，汇合于前后二阴之间。所谓间，指前阴和后阴之间的两间。从这两间之后，又分开而行，环绕肛门后方。）分别绕行臀部，至少阴经和太阳经的中络处，汇合足少阴经上行于大腿内侧后缘，贯穿脊柱连接肾脏，（别，指别络分开各行。足少阴经的络脉，自大腿内侧后缘贯穿脊柱连接肾脏；足太阳经络的外行者，循行髀枢，络于股阳而下；其中行者，下行贯穿臀部，至尻中与外行络汇合。所以说少阴与太阳经的中络，汇合足少阴经上行于大腿内侧后缘，贯穿脊柱连接肾脏。）与足太阳膀胱经起始于目内眦，上行额部交会于头顶，进入络属脑部，复出分别下行项部，循行肩膊内侧，挟脊抵腰中，进入循行夹脊肌肉络属肾脏；（接绕臀而上行。）男子循阴茎下行至肛门，与女子相同；其直行者，自小腹直上，贯穿肚脐中央，向上贯穿心脏进入咽喉，上行经下颌环绕嘴唇，上行系连两眼之下中央。（自与足太阳膀胱经起始于目内眦，下行至女子相同部分，并督脉的别络。其直行者，自尾骨上循行脊柱内部至于人中。自其小腹直上，至两眼之下中央，并任脉的行径，而说是督脉所系，由此说来，任脉、督脉、冲脉，名称不同但实质同一。）这条脉发生病变，气从小腹上冲心脏并疼痛，大小便不通，称为冲疝。（寻找这种生病情况正是任脉的病，经文说“称为冲疝”，正是明确督脉以别主而异名。）女子不孕，癃闭、痔疮、遗尿、咽干。（也是因为冲脉和任脉都从小腹上至于咽喉，又以督脉循行外阴、汇合于前后二阴之间、环绕肛门后、分别绕行臀部，所以导致不孕、癃闭、痔疮、遗尿、咽干。称之为任脉，是因为女子得之以任养胎儿。所以经文说：“此病女子不孕”。称之为冲脉，是因为其气上冲。所以经文说：“此生病从少腹上冲心而痛”。称之为督脉，是因为它总督统领经脉之海。由此三种用途，经文有时通称，然而任、督、冲三脉一源而三歧，督脉由会阴而行背部，任脉由会阴而行腹部，冲脉由气冲而行足少阴经，只有督脉由会阴而起，而会阴穴在小腹之下，横骨中央，女子进入系连廷孔，循行外阴汇合于前后二阴之间，又从两间之后，别络者分开而行，环绕臀部肌肉，内侧，贯穿脊柱连接肾脏。那足太阳膀胱经的络脉，从外行者，循行髀枢，络于股阳而下，其中行者，下行贯穿臀部，至尻中，与外行络汇合足少阴肾经，自大腿内侧后缘，贯穿脊柱连接肾脏，又与足太阳膀胱经起始于目内眦，上行额部交会于头顶，上行进入络属脑部，复出分别下行项部，循行肩膊，内侧挟脊抵腰中，进入循行夹脊肌肉络属肾脏，一如足太阳经脉之所行。然而督脉、任脉，名称虽异，而气脉无殊，其督脉所行的路径，一如任脉之行，所以自小腹直上者，贯穿肚脐中央，向上贯穿心脏进入咽喉，上行经下颌环绕嘴唇，上行系连两眼之下中央，其督脉生病的情况，又如任脉之病，气从小腹上冲心脏并疼痛，大小便不通称为冲疝，其女子所生的病，一如任脉和冲脉之病，所以其脉相交，引病也互用名称耳。）
The *Gu Kong Lun* (Treatise on Bone Labyrinths) states: The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel, 任脉) originates below the Zhongji point (CV3), ascends to the pubic hairline, follows the interior of the abdomen to the Guanyuan point (CV4), reaches the throat, ascends to the chin, follows the face, and enters the eyes. (This describes the origin and termination of the Ren Mai. The Ren Mai is one of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels. The Zhongji point is located four cun below the umbilicus; originating below Zhongji, it begins at the Huiyin point (CV1). Between the two yin organs, the Ren Mai travels along the abdomen from Huiyin, while the Du Mai (Governing Vessel) travels along the back from Huiyin. From Huiyin upwards, past the Qugu point (CV2) and the transverse bone above the pubic hairline, in the depression one cun below Zhongji where the pulse is palpable, it again follows the interior of the abdomen through Zhongji, ascending to Guanyuan, Qihai (CV6), Xiawan (CV10), Zhongwan (CV12), Shangwan (CV13), Jueque (CV14), Tanzhong (CV17), reaching Lianquan (CV23) and Chengjiang (CV24), then ascending through the middle of the throat. Its vessel ascends to the chin, follows the face, and enters the eyes.) The Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel, 冲脉) originates at the Qichong point (ST30), runs parallel with the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, flanks the umbilicus upwards, and disperses in the chest. (This describes the origin and termination of the Chong Mai. The Chong Mai is also one of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels. The Ren Mai ascends along the center of the umbilicus, while the Chong Mai ascends flanking both sides of the umbilicus, originating at Qichong, running parallel with the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, flanking the umbilicus upwards to disperse in the chest. Qichong is an acupoint name, located on both sides of the pubic hairline, above the inguinal region (shuxi), one cun in body measurement. The Chong Mai originates at Qichong, also running from within the lower abdomen parallel with the Ren Mai to this point, thus following the abdomen. It is also said: Both the Chong Mai and Ren Mai originate in the Baozhong (uterus/womb), ascend along the interior of the spine, serving as the Sea of the Meridians; their branches floating outward follow each side of the abdomen, converge at the throat, and branch to connect with the lips and mouth. From this, it is clear that the Ren Mai and Chong Mai ascend from within the lower abdomen, passing below Zhongji and within Qichong.)
When the Ren Mai is diseased, men suffer from internal binding of the Seven Hernias (Qi Shen), and women suffer from leukorrhea and mass accumulation (Jia Ju). (This describes the pathology of the Ren Mai. "Internal" refers to the abdomen. The path running along the midline of the abdomen is the pathway of the Ren Mai, hence prone to disease. If men suffer from the Seven Hernias, women suffer from Jia Ju. Regarding the Seven Hernias, according to various chapters of the *Neijing*, there are Hu Hernia, Feng Hernia, Lung Hernia, Spleen Wind Hernia, Heart Wind Hernia, Heart Hernia, Kidney Wind Hernia, Liver Wind Hernia, as well as Women's Hernia, Men's Hernia, Jue Hernia, Pi Hernia, and Qi Hernia. I have counted them all, comprising the Five Zang Hernias plus the Hu Hernia, etc. Their main principles are seen in the subsequent chapters of each section. Zhu Danxi's Seven Hernias are: Cold, Water, Sinew, Blood, Qi, Fox, and Pi. The *Xiuzhen Fang*'s Seven Hernias are: Jue, Pi, Cold, Qi, Pan, Fu, and Wild Wolf. It seems Danxi's classification aligns with the classic intent; although names vary, do they not fall within the scope of the *Neijing*? However, people only know diseases in the lower part as hernias, not realizing that all five Zang organs can have hernias. They also only know men have hernias, not realizing women do too, due to a failure to examine the *Neijing*. Jia Ju refers to accumulation masses. The *Da Qi Lun* states: Urgency in the Three Yang vessels leads to Jia. Later generations introduced the concept of Eight Jias, derived from the name of the Seven Hernias, resulting in names like Snake Jia, Fat Jia, Green Jia, Yellow Jia, Dry Jia, Blood Jia, Fox Jia, and Turtle Jia. These are absent in the *Neijing*.)
When the Chong Mai is diseased, there is rebellious Qi and tension in the interior. (This describes the pathology of the Chong Mai. The Chong Mai originates at Qichong, runs parallel with the Foot-Shaoyin Meridian flanking the umbilicus upwards, and disperses in the chest. Thus, "interior" refers to its meridian pathway. When diseased, Qi rebels and cannot ascend, so how can it reach the chest to disperse? Qi gathers in the abdomen and cannot disperse, so how can one avoid the tension in the interior?)
When the Du Mai is diseased, there is stiffness of the spine and opisthotonos (body bent backward). (The Du Mai is also an Extraordinary Vessel. The Ren, Chong, and Du Mai share one source but branch into three, which is why some scriptures refer to the Chong Mai as the Du Mai. How is this proven? The *Jia Yi Jing* and ancient *Meridian Flow Diagrams* call the vessel running along the back the Du Mai, and the vessel rising straight from the lower abdomen the Ren Mai, also called the Du Mai, distinguishing them by the yin-yang nature of the back and front. The Ren Mai passes from the Baozhong, crosses the Dai Mai, and goes up through the umbilicus; thus, male disease manifests as internal binding of the Seven Hernias, and female disease as leukorrhea and Jia Ju. The Chong Mai flanks the umbilicus, runs with the Shaoyin Meridian up to the chest; thus, Chong Mai disease manifests as rebellious Qi and interior tension. Because the Du Mai ascends along the interior of the spine, Du Mai disease manifests as spinal stiffness and opisthotonos.)
The Du Mai originates from the central bone below the lower abdomen. In women, it enters and connects to the Ting Kong (廷孔), (Just as the Ren and Chong Mai originate in the Baozhong, it actually originates below the kidneys, reaching the lower abdomen, then descending to the center surrounded by the lumbar transverse bones. "Ting Kong" refers to the vaginal opening, commonly known as the anterior orifice. It is named so because the clitoris is connected to the center. This orifice is the end of the urinary passage. The "orifice" is the vaginal opening. Within the vaginal opening, there is the urinary opening above. "End" refers to the upper end of the clitoris relative to the urinary opening. The Du Mai reaches this point from the center of the bony enclosure.) Its collaterals follow the genitalia and converge behind the perineum, circling the anus posteriorly, (The collateral branch of the Du Mai divides from the end of the urinary opening, travels down the genitalia, and converges in the space between the anterior and posterior orifices. This "space" refers to the area between the front and back yin. From behind these two spaces, it divides again and circles behind the anus.) separately winds around the buttocks, reaches the Zhongluo of the Shaoyin and Taiyang meridians, merges with the Shaoyin to ascend along the posterior medial aspect of the thigh, penetrates the spine, and connects to the kidney, (Separate refers to the collateral branches dividing and traveling independently. The collateral of the Foot-Shaoyin Meridian penetrates the spine from the posterior medial thigh to connect to the kidney; the external branch of the Foot-Taiyang collateral follows the hip pivot and descends via the lateral thigh; its internal branch descends through the buttock to the coccyx, merging with the external branch. Thus, it says the Zhongluo of Shaoyin and Taiyang merge with Shaoyin to ascend along the posterior medial thigh, penetrate the spine, and connect to the kidney.) and starts with the Taiyang at the inner canthus of the eye, ascends to the forehead, intersects at the vertex, enters to network the brain, emerges again to descend separately via the neck, follows the interior of the shoulder blade, flanks the spine to reach the waist, enters to follow the paraspinal muscles, and networks the kidney; (Continuing upward after circling the buttock.) in men, it follows the penis down to the perineum, identical to women; its straight branch rises directly from the lower abdomen, penetrates the center of the umbilicus, ascends through the heart into the throat, rises to the chin, encircles the lips, and ascends to connect the center below the two eyes. (From starting at the inner canthus with the Taiyang, descending to be identical to women, and the collateral of the Du Mai. The straight branch rises from the sacrum along the spine to the Renzhong point. From the lower abdomen straight up to the center below the eyes, following the path of the Ren Mai, yet attributed to the Du Mai, indicating that the Ren, Du, and Chong Mai are different in name but identical in substance.) Disease arising from this vessel involves Qi rushing from the lower abdomen to the heart causing pain, inability to urinate or defecate, termed Chong Hernia. (Examining this pathology reveals it is essentially a Ren Mai disease; the scripture calls it "Chong Hernia" to clarify that the Du Mai has distinct primary manifestations and nomenclature.) In women, it causes infertility, strangury, hemorrhoids, enuresis, and dryness of the pharynx. (This is because the Chong and Ren Mai both ascend from the lower abdomen to the throat, and the Du Mai follows the genitalia, converges at the perineum, circles the anus, and separately winds around the buttocks, leading to infertility, strangury, hemorrhoids, enuresis, and dry throat. It is called the Ren Mai because women rely on it for nourishment during pregnancy; thus the scripture says, "This disease causes infertility in women." It is called the Chong Mai because its Qi rushes upward; thus the scripture says, "Disease arises from Qi rushing from the lower abdomen to the heart causing pain." It is called the Du Mai because it governs the Sea of the Meridians. Due to these three functions, the scripture sometimes uses them interchangeably. However, the Ren, Du, and Chong Mai share one source but branch into three: the Du Mai travels the back from Huiyin, the Ren Mai travels the abdomen from Huiyin, and the Chong Mai travels the Foot-Shaoyin from Qichong. Only the Du Mai originates from Huiyin, which is below the lower abdomen, in the center of the transverse bone. In women, it enters the Ting Kong, follows the genitalia, converges at the perineum, and from behind the two spaces, the separate collaterals divide and travel, winding around the buttock muscles, the medial aspect, penetrating the spine to connect to the kidney. The external branch of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian collateral follows the hip pivot and descends via the lateral thigh; its internal branch descends through the buttock to the coccyx, merging with the external branch and the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, ascending from the posterior medial thigh, penetrating the spine to connect to the kidney, and starting with the Foot-Taiyang at the inner canthus, ascending to the forehead, intersecting at the vertex, entering the brain, emerging to descend via the neck, following the shoulder blade, flanking the spine to the waist, entering the paraspinal muscles to network the kidney, exactly as the Foot-Taiyang Meridian travels. Although the Du and Ren Mai differ in name, their Qi and pathways are indistinguishable. The path traveled by the Du Mai is identical to the Ren Mai; thus, rising straight from the lower abdomen, penetrating the umbilicus, ascending through the heart to the throat, circling the lips, and connecting below the eyes mirrors the Ren Mai's path. The pathology of the Du Mai, such as Qi rushing from the lower abdomen to the heart causing pain and obstruction of urination/defecation termed Chong Hernia, mirrors the Ren Mai's disease. The diseases occurring in women mirror those of the Ren and Chong Mai. Therefore, their vessels intersect, and the diseases are referred to using mutual names.)