(素问骨空论）
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。（以下任冲督脉，皆奇经也。中极，
任脉穴名，在曲骨上一寸。中极之下，即胞宫之所。任冲督三脉皆起于胞宫，而出于会阴之间。任由会阴而行于腹，督
由会阴而行于背，冲由会阴出并少阴而散于胸中，故此自毛际行腹里关元上至咽喉面目者，皆任脉之道也。）冲脉者，起
于气街，并少阴之经，挟齐上行，至胸中而散。（起，言外脉之所起，非发源之谓也。下仿此。气街即气冲，足阳明经穴，
在毛际两旁。冲脉起于气街，并足少阴之经会于横骨大赫等十一穴，挟脐上行至胸中而散，此言冲脉之前行者也。然少
阴之脉上股内后廉，贯脊属肾，冲脉亦入脊内为伏冲之脉，然则冲脉之后行者，当亦并少阴无疑也。痿论曰∶冲脉者，
经脉之海也，主渗灌溪谷，与阳明合于宗筋，阴阳总宗筋之会，会于气街，而阳明为之长，皆属于带脉而络于督脉。五
音五味篇曰∶冲脉任脉，皆起于胞中，上循背里，为经络之海。其浮而外者，循腹右上行，会于咽喉，别而络唇口。逆
顺肥瘦篇曰∶冲脉者，五脏六腑之海也，五脏六腑皆禀焉。其上者，出于颃颡，渗诸阳，灌诸精；其下者，注少阴之大
络，出于气街，循阴股内廉，入 中，伏行 骨内，下至内髁之后属而别；其下者，并于少阴之经，渗三阴；其前者，
伏行出跗属，下循跗，入大趾间，渗诸络而温肌肉。故别络结则跗上不动、不动则厥，厥则寒矣。动输篇曰∶冲脉者，
十二经之海也，与少阴之大络起于肾下，出于气街，并足少阴之经入足下；其别者，邪入踝，出属跗上，入大趾之间，
注诸络以温足胫。海论曰∶冲脉者，为十二经之海，其输上在于大杼，下出于巨虚之上下廉。按此诸篇之义，则冲脉之
下行者，虽会于阳明之气街，而实并于足少阴之经。且其上自头，下自足，后自背，前自腹，内自溪谷，外自肌肉，阴
阳表里无所不涉。又按岁露篇曰∶入脊内，注于伏冲之脉。百病始生篇曰∶传舍于伏冲之脉。所谓伏冲者，以其最深也。
故凡十二经之气血，此皆受之以荣养周身，所以为五脏六腑之海也。又冲为血海义，详后三十二。）任脉为病，男子内结
七疝，女子带下瘕聚。（任脉自前阴上毛际，行腹里，故男女之为病如此。七疝义详疾病类七十。带下，赤白带下也。瘕，
瘕也。聚，积聚也。瘕，加、驾二音。）冲脉为病，逆气里急。（冲脉挟脐上行至于胸中，故其气不顺则隔塞逆气，血
不和则胸腹里急也。）督脉为病，脊强反折。（督脉贯于脊中，故令脊强反折而屈伸不利。）督脉者，起于少腹以下骨中央，
女子入系廷孔。（此下皆言督脉也。少腹，小腹也，胞宫之所居。骨中央，横骨下近外之中央也。廷，正也，直也。廷孔，
言正中之直孔，即溺孔也。）其孔，溺孔之端也。（此释廷孔即溺孔之义。女人溺孔，在前阴中横骨之下。孔之上际谓之
端，乃督脉外起之所。此虽以女子为言，然男子溺孔亦在横骨下中央，第为宗筋所函，故不见耳。溺，娘吊切。）其络，
循阴器，合篡间，绕篡后，（督脉别络，自溺孔之端，循阴器分行向后，复合于篡间，乃又自篡间分而为二，绕行于篡之
后。篡，交篡之义，谓两便争行之所，即前后二阴之间也。篡，初患切。）别绕臀，至少阴，与巨阳中络者，合少阴上股
内后廉，贯脊属肾，（足少阴之脉，上股内后廉。足太阳之脉，外行者过髀枢，中行者挟脊贯臀。故此督脉之别络，自篡
后绕臀，至股内后廉少阴之分，与巨阳中络者，合少阴之脉并行，而贯脊属肾也。臀音屯。）与太阳起于目内 ，上额交
巅上，入络脑，还出别下项，循肩膊内，挟脊抵腰中，入循膂络肾。（此亦督脉之别络，并足太阳之经上头下项，挟脊抵
腰中，复络于肾。若其直行者，自尻上循脊里上头，由鼻而至于人中也。 音资。膊音搏。膂，吕同。）其男子循茎下至
篡，与女子等。（茎，英、行二音，阴茎也。）其少腹直上者，贯齐中央，上贯心，入喉上颐环唇，上系两目之下中央。（按
此自少腹直上者，皆任脉之道，而本节列为督脉。五音五味篇曰∶任脉波脉皆起于胞中，上循背里为经络之海。然则前
亦督也，后亦任也。故启玄子引古经云∶任脉循背谓之督脉，自少腹直上者谓之任脉，亦谓之督脉。由此言之，则是以
背腹分阴阳而言任督，若三脉者，则名虽异而体则一耳，故曰任脉波脉督脉，一源而三岐也。）此生病，从少腹上冲心而
痛，不得前后，为冲疝。（此督脉自脐上贯于心，故其为病如此。名为冲疝，盖兼冲任而为病者。）其女子，不孕癃痔遗
溺嗌干。（此在女子为不孕癃痔遗溺嗌干等证，虽皆由此督脉所生，而实亦任冲之病。王氏曰∶任脉者，女子得之以任养
也。冲脉者，以其气上冲也。督脉者，以其督领经脉之海也。且此三脉皆由阴中而上行，故其为病如此。癃，良中切。
痔音雉。嗌音益。）督脉生病治督脉，治在骨上，甚者在齐下营。（骨上，谓横骨上毛际中曲骨穴也。齐下营，谓脐下一
寸阴交穴也。皆任脉之穴而治此督脉之病，正以本篇所发明者虽分三脉，其所言治则但云督脉而不云任冲，故所用之穴
亦以任为督，可见三脉本同一体，督即任冲之纲领，任冲即督之别名耳。）
（《素问·骨空论》）
任脉，起始于中极穴下方，向上经过阴毛边缘，沿着腹腔内部上行，经过关元穴，到达咽喉，再向上至面颊，环绕口唇进入目内眦。（以下关于任、冲、督三脉的论述，均属于奇经八脉。中极是任脉的穴位名称，位于曲骨穴上一寸处。“中极之下”，即指胞宫所在之处。任、冲、督这三条经脉都起源于胞宫，而出于会阴之间。任脉从会阴出发行于腹部，督脉从会阴出发行于背部，冲脉从会阴出发并足少阴肾经散布于胸中，因此这里所说的从阴毛边缘行于腹里、关元、上至咽喉和面目的路径，都是任脉的循行路线。）
冲脉，起始于气街穴，与足少阴肾经并行，挟持肚脐两侧上行，到达胸中后分散。（“起”，是指外行脉的起点，并非发源之意。下文仿照此意。气街即气冲穴，属足阳明胃经，位于阴毛两旁。冲脉起始于气街，与足少阴肾经在横骨、大赫等十一个穴位处交会，挟脐上行至胸中而散，这是讲述冲脉前行的部分。然而足少阴肾经上行于大腿内侧后缘，贯穿脊柱连属于肾，冲脉也进入脊柱内部成为伏冲之脉，那么冲脉后行的部分，应当也是与足少阴肾经并行无疑了。《痿论》说：冲脉，是十二经脉的海，主要渗透灌溉肌肉纹理间隙，与足阳明胃经会合于宗筋，阴阳总汇于宗筋，会合于气街，而足阳明胃经为之首领，都归属于带脉并联络于督脉。《五音五味篇》说：冲脉和任脉，都起源于胞中，向上沿着脊背内部，成为经络的海。其中浮浅而向外行的，沿着腹部右侧上行，会合于咽喉，分支联络口唇。《逆顺肥瘦篇》说：冲脉，是五脏六腑的海，五脏六腑都禀受其气血。其上行的部分，出于颃颡（鼻咽部），渗灌诸阳经，灌注精气；其下行的部分，注入足少阴肾经的大络，出于气街，沿着大腿内侧前缘，进入腘窝中，伏行于胫骨内，下行至内踝后方分出别支；其下行的另一支，并与足少阴肾经并行，渗灌足三阴经；其前行的部分，伏行出于足背，向下沿足背，进入大脚趾间，渗灌各络脉以温养肌肉。所以如果别络结滞，则足背上脉搏不动，脉搏不动则发生厥逆，厥逆则出现寒冷。《动输篇》说：冲脉，是十二经的海，与足少阴肾经的大络起于肾下，出于气街，并足少阴肾经入足底；其分支，斜入踝部，出于足背，进入大脚趾间，注入各络脉以温养足胫。《海论》说：冲脉，是十二经的海，其腧穴上部在大杼穴，下部出于巨虚上下廉。综合这些篇章的含义，冲脉下行的部分，虽然会合于足阳明胃经的气街，但实际上是与足少阴肾经并行。而且它上自头部，下自足部，后自背部，前自腹部，内自肌肉纹理间隙，外自肌肉，阴阳表里无所不涉。又按《岁露篇》说：进入脊柱内部，注入伏冲之脉。《百病始生篇》说：邪气传舍于伏冲之脉。所谓伏冲，是因为它位置最深。所以凡是十二经的气血，都在这里接受以营养周身，因此被称为五脏六腑的海。另外，“冲为血海”的含义，详见后文第三十二节。）
任脉发生病变，男子表现为体内结聚成七种疝气，女子表现为白带过多及瘕聚积聚。（任脉从前阴上方经过阴毛边缘，行于腹腔内部，所以男女患病表现如此。七疝的含义详见疾病类第七十节。带下，指赤白带下。瘕，指腹中结块。聚，指积聚。瘕，读音同加、驾。）
冲脉发生病变，表现为气逆和腹部拘急。（冲脉挟持肚脐上行至于胸中，所以其气不顺则导致隔塞气逆，血不和则导致胸腹内部拘急。）
督脉发生病变，表现为脊柱强直、身体向后反折。（督脉贯穿脊柱中间，所以导致脊柱强直、身体向后反折而屈伸不利。）
督脉，起始于小腹以下骨骼中央，女子向内联系廷孔。（以下都在论述督脉。少腹，即小腹，是胞宫居住的地方。骨中央，指横骨下方近外的中央位置。廷，意为正、直。廷孔，指正中的直孔，即尿道口。）
这个孔，是尿道口的末端。（此处解释廷孔即尿道口的含义。女性尿道口，位于前阴中横骨之下。孔的上际称为端，乃督脉外部起始之处。这里虽然以女子为例，但男性尿道口也在横骨下中央，只是被宗筋包裹，所以看不见罢了。溺，读音娘吊切。）
督脉的别络，沿着生殖器，会合于篡间，绕行于篡后，（督脉的别络，从尿道口端开始，沿着生殖器分行向后，又会合于篡间，然后从篡间分为两支，绕行于两便交汇处的后面。篡，意为交篡，指大小便交替通行的地方，即前后二阴之间。篡，读音初患切。）
分支绕过臀部，到达足少阴肾经，与足太阳膀胱经的中络相合，并入足少阴肾经上行于大腿内侧后缘，贯穿脊柱连属于肾，（足少阴肾经，上行于大腿内侧后缘。足太阳膀胱经，外行者经过髀枢，中行者挟脊贯穿臀部。因此督脉的别络，从篡后绕过臀部，至大腿内侧后缘足少阴肾经的分界处，与足太阳膀胱经的中络相合，并入足少阴肾经并行，进而贯穿脊柱连属于肾。臀，读音屯。）
与足太阳膀胱经起于目内眦，上行至额部，交会于头顶，进入脑络，复出分别下行于项部，沿着肩膊内侧，挟持脊柱抵达腰部中间，进入并沿骶骨旁肌肉联络肾脏。（这也是督脉的别络，并足太阳膀胱经上头下项，挟持脊柱抵达腰部中间，再次联络于肾。如果是直行者，自尾骨上沿脊柱内部上行至头，由鼻部至于人中穴。 音资。膊，读音搏。膂，同吕音。）
男子的督脉沿阴茎下行至篡间，与女子的情况相等。（茎，读音英、行二音，指阴茎。）
其从小腹直上的部分，贯穿肚脐中央，向上贯穿心脏，进入咽喉，上至面颊环绕口唇，向上系于两眼之下的中央。（按此从小腹直上的路径，都是任脉的循行路线，而本节将其列为督脉。《五音五味篇》说：任脉和波脉（疑为衍文或异体，通常指冲任）都起源于胞中，向上沿着脊背内部成为经络的海。既然如此，前面（腹侧）也是督，后面（背侧）也是任。所以启玄子引用古经说：任脉循行于背部称为督脉，从小腹直上者称为任脉，也称为督脉。由此而言，这是以背腹分阴阳来论述任督，若说这三条脉，则名称虽异但本体是一体的，所以说任脉、冲脉、督脉，一源而三岐。）
督脉生病，表现为气从少腹上冲心而痛，大小便不通，称为冲疝。（这是因为督脉自脐上贯于心，所以患病表现如此。名为冲疝，大概是因为兼有冲脉和任脉的病机。）
对于女子，表现为不孕、癃闭、痔疮、遗尿、咽干。（这些在女子身上表现为不孕、癃闭、痔疮、遗尿、咽干等症状，虽然都是由督脉所生，但实际上也是任脉和冲脉的病证。王冰说：任脉，女子依靠它来妊养胎儿。冲脉，因为它的之气上冲。督脉，因为它总督统领经脉之海。况且这三条脉都由阴中而上行，所以它们的病证表现如此。癃，读音良中切。痔，读音雉。嗌，读音益。）
督脉生病治疗督脉，取穴在骨上（曲骨穴），病情严重的取脐下的营室穴（阴交穴）。（骨上，指横骨上方阴毛中间的曲骨穴。齐下营，指脐下一寸的阴交穴。这些都是任脉的穴位却用来治疗督脉的病，正是本篇所阐明的道理：虽然将三脉分开论述，但所言的治疗原则只说督脉而不说任冲，所以所用的穴位也以任脉穴治督脉病，可见三脉本为一体，督脉即是任冲的纲领，任冲即是督脉的别名耳。）
(Su Wen, Gu Kong Lun)
The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) originates below the Zhongji point (CV3), ascends to the pubic hair margin, follows the interior of the abdomen, passes through the Guanyuan point (CV4), reaches the throat, ascends to the chin, follows the face, and enters the eyes. (The following discussions on the Ren, Chong, and Du vessels all belong to the Eight Extraordinary Vessels. Zhongji is the name of an acupoint on the Ren Mai, located one cun above the Qugu point (CV2). "Below Zhongji" refers to the location of the Bao Gong (Uterus). The Ren, Chong, and Du vessels all originate from the Bao Gong and emerge between the Huiyin points. The Ren Mai travels along the abdomen starting from Huiyin; the Du Mai travels along the back starting from Huiyin; the Chong Mai emerges from Huiyin, runs alongside the Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, and disperses in the chest. Therefore, the path described here from the pubic hair margin, through the abdominal interior, Guanyuan, up to the throat and face, constitutes the pathway of the Ren Mai.)
The Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) originates at the Qichong point (ST30), runs parallel with the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, ascends flanking the umbilicus, and disperses in the chest. ("Originates" refers to the starting point of the exterior pathway, not the source of origin. The following text follows this convention. Qichong is an acupoint of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, located on both sides of the pubic hair margin. The Chong Mai originates at Qichong and intersects with the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian at eleven acupoints including Henggu (KI11) and Dahe (KI12), ascending flanking the umbilicus to disperse in the chest. This describes the anterior pathway of the Chong Mai. However, the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian ascends along the posterior medial aspect of the thigh, penetrates the spine, and connects to the Kidneys. The Chong Mai also enters the interior of the spine as the Fuchong (Hidden Penetrating) vessel. Thus, the posterior pathway of the Chong Mai must undoubtedly run alongside the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. The Wu Lun chapter states: The Chong Mai is the Sea of the Twelve Meridians, primarily responsible for permeating and irrigating the muscle valleys. It joins with the Yangming Meridian at the Zongjin (Genital Tendon), where Yin and Yang converge. This convergence occurs at Qichong, with the Yangming Meridian acting as the leader, all belonging to the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel) and linked to the Du Mai. The Wu Yin Wu Wei chapter states: The Chong and Ren Mai both originate in the Baozhong (Center of the Uterus), ascend along the interior of the back, and serve as the Sea of the Meridians. Those that are superficial and external follow the right side of the abdomen upward, converge at the throat, and branch to link the lips and mouth. The Ni Shun Fei Shu chapter states: The Chong Mai is the Sea of the Five Zang and Six Fu Organs; all Five Zang and Six Fu Organs receive its Qi and Blood. Its ascending branch emerges from the Hangsang (nasopharynx), permeates the Yang meridians, and irrigates the essence; its descending branch pours into the large collateral of the Foot-Shaoyin, emerges at Qichong, follows the medial anterior aspect of the thigh, enters the popliteal fossa, runs deep within the tibia, descends behind the medial malleolus, and branches off; another descending branch runs parallel with the Foot-Shaoyin Meridian, permeating the Three Yin meridians; its anterior branch runs deep emerging at the dorsum of the foot, descends along the dorsum, enters between the great toe, permeates the various collaterals to warm the muscles. Therefore, if the collateral collides, the pulse on the dorsum of the foot becomes inactive; if inactive, Jue (cold reversal) occurs, leading to coldness. The Dong Shu chapter states: The Chong Mai is the Sea of the Twelve Meridians, originating with the large collateral of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney below the kidney, emerging at Qichong, running with the Foot-Shaoyin Meridian into the sole of the foot; its branch obliquely enters the ankle, emerges at the dorsum of the foot, enters between the great toes, and pours into the various collaterals to warm the lower legs and shins. The Hai Lun chapter states: The Chong Mai is the Sea of the Twelve Meridians; its Shu points are located superiorly at Dazhu (BL11) and inferiorly at the upper and lower edges of Juxu (Stomach Meridian points). According to these chapters, the descending part of the Chong Mai, although converging at the Qichong of the Yangming Meridian, actually runs parallel with the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. Furthermore, it covers everything from the head down to the feet, from the back to the front, from the interior muscle valleys to the exterior muscles, involving Yin/Yang and Interior/Exterior. Additionally, the Sui Lu chapter states: Entering the interior of the spine, pouring into the Fuchong vessel. The Bai Bing Shi Sheng chapter states: Pathogenic factors lodge in the Fuchong vessel. "Fuchong" is so named because it is the deepest. Thus, the Qi and Blood of all Twelve Meridians are received here to nourish the whole body, hence it is called the Sea of the Five Zang and Six Fu Organs. The meaning of "Chong as the Sea of Blood" is detailed in Section 32 later.)
Disease of the Ren Mai manifests as internal nodulation of the Seven Types of Hernia in men, and leukorrhea with masses in women. (The Ren Mai ascends from the anterior yin through the pubic hair margin and runs in the abdominal interior, hence the diseases manifest thus in both sexes. The meaning of "Seven Hernias" is detailed in Disease Category 70. Leukorrhea refers to red and white vaginal discharge. Jia refers to abdominal masses. Ju refers to accumulation. Jia is pronounced like Jia or Jia.)
Disease of the Chong Mai manifests as rebellious Qi and internal tension. (The Chong Mai ascends flanking the umbilicus to the chest; therefore, if its Qi is unsmooth, it causes obstruction and rebellious Qi; if its Blood is unharmonious, it causes internal tension in the chest and abdomen.)
Disease of the Du Mai (Governing Vessel) manifests as stiffness of the spine and opisthotonos (backward bending). (The Du Mai penetrates the center of the spine, thus causing spinal stiffness, opisthotonos, and limited flexion and extension.)
The Du Mai originates from the central bone below the lower abdomen, and in women, connects internally to the Ting Kong. (The following text discusses the Du Mai. Lower abdomen refers to the small abdomen, the residence of the Bao Gong. Central bone refers to the center near the outside of the lower edge of the pubic bone. Ting means straight/upright. Ting Kong refers to the straight hole in the center, i.e., the urethral opening.)
This orifice is the end of the urethral opening. (This explains that Ting Kong is the urethral opening. In women, the urethral opening is located below the pubic bone in the anterior yin. The upper edge of the orifice is called the duan (end), which is the external starting point of the Du Mai. Although this description uses women as an example, the male urethral opening is also in the center below the pubic bone, but it is covered by the Zongjin, so it is not visible. Niao is pronounced niang diao qie.)
Its collateral follows the genitalia, converges at the Cu (perineum), and winds around the posterior Cu. (The collateral of the Du Mai starts from the end of the urethral opening, follows the genitalia branching backward, converges at the Cu, then splits again from the Cu to wind around the posterior aspect. Cu implies intersection, referring to the area between the two yins where urination and defecation occur, i.e., between the anterior and posterior orifices. Cu is pronounced chu huan qie.)
A branch winds around the buttocks to reach the Shaoyin, merging with the middle collateral of the Taiyang, joining the Shaoyin to ascend along the posterior medial aspect of the thigh, penetrating the spine and connecting to the Kidneys. (The Foot-Shaoyin Meridian ascends along the posterior medial aspect of the thigh. The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, its lateral branch, passes through the hip pivot, and its medial branch flanks the spine and penetrates the buttocks. Thus, the collateral of the Du Mai, winding around the buttocks from behind the perineum, reaches the boundary of the Shaoyin at the posterior medial thigh, merges with the middle collateral of the Taiyang, joins the Shaoyin Meridian to run parallel, penetrates the spine, and connects to the Kidneys. Tun is pronounced tun.)
It meets the Taiyang at the inner canthus of the eye, ascends to the forehead, crosses the vertex, enters to network the brain, re-emerges to descend separately down the neck, follows the medial shoulder blade, flanks the spine to reach the middle of the waist, enters to follow the paraspinal muscles and networks the Kidneys. (This is also a collateral of the Du Mai, running with the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian to the head and neck, flanking the spine to reach the middle of the waist, and reconnecting to the Kidneys. If referring to the direct pathway, it ascends from the coccyx along the interior of the spine to the head, passes through the nose to the Renzhong point. Zi is pronounced zi. Bo is pronounced bo. Lv is pronounced lv.)
In men, it follows the penis down to the perineum, equal to the situation in women. (Jing is pronounced ying or xing, referring to the penis.)
The portion rising directly from the lower abdomen penetrates the center of the umbilicus, ascends through the Heart, enters the throat, ascends to the chin, circles the lips, and ascends to connect to the center below the two eyes. (According to this, the path rising directly from the lower abdomen belongs to the Ren Mai, yet this section lists it under the Du Mai. The Wu Yin Wu Wei chapter states: The Ren and [Chong] Mai both originate in the Baozhong, ascend along the interior of the back to become the Sea of the Meridians. If so, the front is also Du, and the back is also Ren. Therefore, Qixuanzi cited ancient classics stating: The Ren Mai running along the back is called the Du Mai; that rising directly from the lower abdomen is called the Ren Mai, also referred to as the Du Mai. From this perspective, Ren and Du are distinguished by Back/Front representing Yin/Yang. Regarding these three vessels, although their names differ, their substance is one. Hence, it is said that the Ren, Chong, and Du Mai share one source and branch into three.)
Diseases of the Du Mai manifest as Qi rushing from the lower abdomen to the heart causing pain, and inability to pass urine or stool, known as Chong Hernia. (This is because the Du Mai penetrates the Heart from above the umbilicus, hence the disease manifests thus. Named Chong Hernia, it likely involves pathology of both the Chong and Ren Mai.)
In women, it manifests as infertility, strangury, hemorrhoids, urinary incontinence, and dryness of the throat. (These symptoms in women—infertility, strangury, hemorrhoids, urinary incontinence, and dry throat—are generated by the Du Mai, but are essentially diseases of the Ren and Chong Mai. Wang Bing stated: The Ren Mai allows women to conceive and nurture. The Chong Mai is characterized by its Qi rushing upward. The Du Mai governs and leads the Sea of the Meridians. Moreover, since these three vessels ascend from the yin region, their pathological manifestations are thus. Long is pronounced liang zhong qie. Zhi is pronounced zhi. Yi is pronounced yi.)
For diseases of the Du Mai, treat the Du Mai. Acupuncture points are located on the bone above (Qugu), and in severe cases, at the Ying camp below the umbilicus (Yinjiao). ("Bone above" refers to the Qugu point (CV2) in the pubic hair margin above the pubic bone. "Ying below the umbilicus" refers to the Yinjiao point (CV11), one cun below the umbilicus. These are acupoints of the Ren Mai used to treat Du Mai diseases. This illustrates the principle elucidated in this chapter: although the three vessels are discussed separately, the treatment principles only mention the Du Mai, not the Ren or Chong. Thus, Ren Mai points are used to treat Du Mai diseases, demonstrating that the three vessels are fundamentally one entity. The Du Mai is the guideline for the Ren and Chong, while the Ren and Chong are aliases of the Du Mai.)