自天以气煦，地以形妪，生其间者，阳化气而阴成形，喉以通天和，咽以纳地产。（喉前咽后。）
受谷者浊，受气者清，清者注肺，浊者走胃，浊则为卫，清则为营，营阴卫阳，营行脉中，卫行脉外，阴阳
相贯，如环无端。中气出上焦，营气出中焦，卫气出下焦，皆水谷之精悍，（水谷之精气为营，水谷之悍气
为卫。）流布于脏腑者也。脏有五，心藏神，肺藏魄，肝藏魂，脾藏意，肾藏志也；腑有六，胆无出入，胃
受水谷，大小肠主津液，膀胱、三焦司气化也。五脏藏精不泻，满而不能实，故以守为补焉；六腑传化不藏，实
而不能满，故以通为补焉。肺右降，肝左升，脾阴运，胃阳纳，膀胱司开，肾司阖，胃喜凉，肠喜热，
胆喜温，心恶热，肺恶寒，肝恶风，肾恶燥，脾恶湿，知五脏之苦欲，而补泻殊。肝苦急，心苦缓，脾苦湿，
肺苦气上逆，肾苦燥，肝欲散，心欲 ，脾欲缓，肺欲收，肾欲坚。审六腑之入出，而清浊别，由脏阴腑阳
之不一其性也。五脏外加心包络，即膻中。代心行令，与三焦相配，则十二脏腑具焉。其十二经之隶于各脏
腑者，行有顺逆。手之三阴，手太阴肺，手少阴心，手厥阴心包。从脏走手；手之三阳，手太阳小肠，手少阳
三焦，手阳明大肠。从手走头；足之三阳，足太阳膀胱，足少阳胆，足阳明胃。从头走足；足之三阴，足太
阴脾，足少阴肾，足厥阴肝。从足走腹。太阳与少阴为表里，少阳与厥阴为表里，阳明与太阴为表里，皆一
脏一
腑相配也。诸阳经会头面于上，诸阴经至胸颈而还，惟厥阴肝经上入颡，连目系，上额，与督脉会于巅。
其行身之后者，足太阳经也，主表。病主头痛脊强。行身之前者，足阳明经也，主表主里。病主身热目痛。
行身之侧者，足少阳经也，主半表半里。病主胁痛耳聋，寒热往来。足厥阴为阴中之阳，病主烦满囊缩。足
少阴为阴中之阴，病主舌干口燥。足太阴为阴中之至阴，病主腹满嗌干，皆主里。若夫奇经八脉，阴维由内
踝而上，主身之里；阳维由外踝而上，主身之表，所以纲维周身之营卫也。阴维为病苦心痛，阳维为病苦
寒热。阴跷起跟中，循内踝上行，主一身左右之阴；阳跷起跟中，循外踝上行，主一身左右之阳，所以统阴
阳而行跷捷也。阴跷病阴急而足直，阳跷病阳急而狂奔。督起会阴，循背而行身之后，所以督率诸阳。
督病脊强折厥。任起会阴，循腹而行身之前，所以担任诸阴。任病男疝女瘕。冲亦起会阴，夹脐而上行胸中，
当诸气之冲要。盖一源而三歧，冲病逆气里急。带起季肋，横束于腰，为诸脉之总约。带病腹胀腰痛。八者
无表里配合，故谓之奇经，经脉蓄溢，则注奇脉，犹沟渠雨溢，旁流湖泽也。既有经脉，复有络，络凡十五，
十二经各有一络，又阳跷阴跷二络，及脾之大络，凡十五。盖直行为经，横支为络，络之别为孙络，凡三百
六十五，初病在络，久病入经。所以行气血。通阴阳，以荣于身者也。且夫气主 ，血主濡，太阳膀胱经常
多血少气，少阴肾经常少血多气，阳明胃经常多血多气，太阴脾经常多血少气，少阳胆经常少血多气，厥
阴肝经常多血少气，其盈亏有如此者。气血所周，子时注胆，丑时注肝，寅时注肺，卯时注大肠，辰时注胃，
巳时注脾，午时注心，未时注小肠，申时注膀胱，酉时注肾，戌时注心包，亥时注三焦，其迭更有如此者。
血随气运，春气在经脉，夏气在孙络，长夏在肌肉，秋气在皮肤，冬气在骨髓，其深浅有如此者。海有四，
冲为血海，膻中为气海，脑为髓海，胃为水谷海。门有七，唇为飞门，齿为户门，会厌为吸门，胃上口为贲
门，下口为幽门，小肠下口为阑门，大肠下为魄门，即肛门。窍有九，肺窍于鼻，脾窍于口，心窍于舌，肝窍
于目，肾窍于耳，亦窍二阴。脊二十一椎，肺六叶，两耳，附脊
第三椎，为华盖。心七孔，附脊第五椎，如莲蕊，外有包络，中通肺脾肝肾，心下有膈膜，周遮浊气。肝七叶，
左三右四，附脊第九椎，胆三寸，居肝叶下，为清净府。脾象刀镰，与胃连膜，胃当脊十一椎，分上中下脘
以达肠，为太仓。肾两枚，附脊十四椎，下中间命门真阳，为生身根蒂。小肠连胃下口，前附脐，后近脊左
回叠十六曲，以泌别清浊。大肠属小肠下口，当脐右叠十六曲，达广肠，抵直肠，传浊出后阴。膀胱无上口，
当脊第十九椎，化气渗水，以出前阴。细思交肠一症，知膀胱亦有上口而常闭，得三焦气化，水渗脬中而为
溺耳。三焦相火，游行诸经，周身上下，上焦如雾，在胃上脘，主出阳气，中焦如沤，当胃中脘，蒸化精微，
下焦如渎，当脐下，济泌别汁，此十二脏腑之象形部位，宜按图而审指者也。验于内，则诸气皆属于肺，诸血
皆统于脾，诸脉皆属于心，诸筋皆隶于肝，诸髓皆司于肾，诸脏皆禀气于胃。验乎外，则肺主皮毛，脾主肌
肉，肝主爪甲，胃主四肢，肾主五液，心为汗，肺为涕，肝为泪，脾为涎，肾为唾。心主舌色。一身所宝，
惟精气神，神生于气，气生于精，精化气，气化神，故精者身之本，气者神之主，形者神之宅也。精者，神
倚之如鱼得水，气根据之如雾复渊，故阴精所奉其人寿。言乎形则头者阳之会，囟者髓之门，发者脑之华，
庭者眉之宇，瞳者肾之精，明堂者色之应，口角者地之仓，龈者胃之络，齿者骨之余，会厌者音声之户，廉
泉者津之道，舌者心之苗，咽者脉之聚，脾、胃、心、肾、肝、小肠脉循咽挟咽。脉者营之居，玄府者汗之
孔，胸中者阳气之郛，离宫者神之舍，募原者五脏之空，膈肓者上下之蔽，气街者经之隧，神阙者脐之宫，
背者经之俞，十二经俞穴。脊者身之柱，膂者脊之辅，腋者肩之谷，肘者肢之节，臂者身之使，肩下臂上，
内为 ，外为膊，节次为肘，肘下为臂，臂下为腕。关者腕骨之中，寸者关之前，尺者关之后，合谷者
骨之歧，大、次
指陷中虎口穴。劳宫者掌之心。腰者精之府，命门者生之根，肾者胃之关，季胁者胆之部，宗筋者茎之系，睾
丸者肾之外候，胞宫者任之内维。任主胞胎。尻者节之 ，节者骨之枢，股者髀之续，膝者筋之总， 者膝
之曲， 者足之肚，踝者骨之突，跗者足之面， 者足之跟，涌泉者足之心，此按部定名所可胪指者也。
自然界中，天以阳气温暖煦照，地以阴形包容孕育，生活在天地之间的人体，也是阳化生为气、阴凝聚成形的结果。喉部向上通达天气，咽部向下接纳地气所化的饮食。（喉在前，咽在后。）
接受水谷饮食的化为浊气，接受自然清气的化为清气。清气注入肺脏，浊气走向胃腑。浊气转化为卫气，清气转化为营气。营属阴，卫属阳；营气运行于脉管之中，卫气运行于脉管之外。阴阳二气相互贯通，像圆环一样没有起点和终点。中焦之气出于上焦（此处原文有误，通常认为宗气积于胸中，但依原文翻译），营气出于中焦，卫气出于下焦，它们都是水谷精微中剽悍滑利的部分，流布运行于脏腑之间。（水谷的精微部分称为营，水谷的剽悍滑利部分称为卫。）
五脏有五个：心藏神，肺藏魄，肝藏魂，脾藏意，肾藏志。六腑有六个：胆既无入口也无出口（指其排泄胆汁入肠而非直接受纳糟粕），胃受纳水谷，小肠和大肠主管津液的吸收与分别，膀胱和三焦主管气化功能。五脏贮藏精气而不妄泄，特点是“满”而不能“实”，所以以守持固摄作为补益的方法；六腑传导消化食物而不贮藏精气，特点是“实”而不能“满”，所以以通畅作为补益的方法。
肺的气机向右下降，肝的气机向左上升，脾主运化阴精，胃主受纳阳气。膀胱主管开启排尿，肾脏主管闭合固摄。胃喜欢凉润，肠道喜欢温热，胆喜欢温和，心脏厌恶炎热，肺脏厌恶寒冷，肝脏厌恶风邪，肾脏厌恶燥邪，脾脏厌恶湿邪。了解了五脏的苦（病理倾向）与欲（生理喜好），补泻的方法就有所不同了。肝苦拘急，心苦弛缓，脾苦湿困，肺苦气机上逆，肾苦干燥。肝喜疏散，心喜柔润（原文缺字，据中医理论补意为柔/收等，此处暂译为其所欲之性），脾喜缓和，肺喜收敛，肾喜坚固。审察六腑的出入规律，就能分辨清浊，这是因为脏属阴、腑属阳，它们的本性不同。
五脏之外加上心包络，就是膻中穴所在之处。它代心行使命令，与三焦相配合，这样十二脏腑就齐全了。隶属于各脏腑的十二条经脉，其循行方向有顺逆之分。手部的三条阴经：手太阴肺经、手少阴心经、手厥阴心包经，从内脏走向手部；手部的三条阳经：手太阳小肠经、手少阳三焦经、手阳明大肠经，从手部走向头部；足部的三条阳经：足太阳膀胱经、足少阳胆经、足阳明胃经，从头部走向足部；足部的三条阴经：足太阴脾经、足少阴肾经、足厥阴肝经，从足部走向腹部。
太阳经与少阴经互为表里，少阳经与厥阴经互为表里，阳明经与太阴经互为表里，都是一脏一腑相互配合。所有的阳经汇聚于头面部，所有的阴经到达胸颈部后返回，只有厥阴肝经上行进入鼻咽部，连接目系，上行至额顶，与督脉交会于头顶。
循行于身体背面的，是足太阳膀胱经，主表证。病症主要表现为头痛、脊柱强直。循行于身体前面的，是足阳明胃经，主表也主里。病症主要表现为身热、目痛。循行于身体侧面的，是足少阳胆经，主半表半里证。病症主要表现为胁痛、耳聋、寒热往来。足厥阴肝经属于阴中之阳，病症主要表现为烦闷、阴囊收缩。足少阴肾经属于阴中之阴，病症主要表现为舌干、口燥。足太阴脾经属于阴中之至阴，病症主要表现为腹满、咽喉干燥，这些都属于里证。
至于奇经八脉，阴维脉从内踝上方行走，主司身体内部的营卫；阳维脉从外踝上方行走，主司身体外部的营卫，以此来纲维周身的气血。阴维脉发病时痛苦于心痛，阳维脉发病时痛苦于寒热交替。阴跷脉起于足跟中部，沿内踝上行，主司身体左右两侧的阴气；阳跷脉起于足跟中部，沿外踝上行，主司身体左右两侧的阳气，以此来统率阴阳并促进肢体矫健。阴跷脉发病时内侧拘急而足部伸直，阳跷脉发病时外侧拘急而狂奔乱走。督脉起于会阴，沿背部上行于身体后面，以此总督诸阳经。督脉发病表现为脊柱强直、折厥。任脉起于会阴，沿腹部上行于身体前面，以此担任诸阴经。任脉发病，男性表现为疝气，女性表现为癥瘕积聚。冲脉也起于会阴，夹脐上行至胸中，处于各种气机冲要的关键部位。可以说冲、任、督三脉同源而异出（一源三歧），冲脉发病表现为气逆、腹部拘急。带脉起于季肋，横向束缚于腰部，是所有经脉的总约束。带脉发病表现为腹胀、腰痛。这八条奇经没有表里配合关系，所以称为奇经。当十二经脉气血蓄积溢出时，就会流入奇经，就像沟渠雨水溢出，流向湖泊沼泽一样。
既有经脉，又有络脉。络脉共有十五条：十二经脉各有一条络脉，加上阳跷、阴跷两条络脉，以及脾的大络，共十五条。大致直行的是经脉，横向分支的是络脉，络脉再分出的细小分支称为孙络，共有三百六十五处穴位对应。初病多在络脉，久病则深入经脉。这是用来运行气血、沟通阴阳，从而滋养全身的。而且气主要起温煦作用，血主要起濡养作用。足太阳膀胱经常多血少气，足少阴肾经常少血多气，足阳明胃经常多血多气，足太阴脾经常多血少气，足少阳胆经常少血多气，足厥阴肝经常多血少气，它们的盈亏情况就是这样。
气血在体内循环流注，子时注入手少阳三焦经（原文顺序似有调整或特定流派说法，按原文翻译：子时注胆），丑时注入肝经，寅时注入肺经，卯时注入大肠经，辰时注入胃经，巳时注入脾经，午时注入心经，未时注入小肠经，申时注入膀胱经，酉时注入肾经，戌时注入心包经，亥时注入三焦经，这种更替循环就是这样。血液随着气运行，春季气机主要在经脉，夏季在孙络，长夏在肌肉，秋季在皮肤，冬季在骨髓，气血深浅分布就是这样。
四海有四：冲脉为血海，膻中为气海，脑为髓海，胃为水谷海。七门有七：嘴唇为飞门，牙齿为户门，会厌为吸门，胃的上口为贲门，胃的下口为幽门，小肠的下口为阑门，大肠的下口为魄门，即肛门。九窍有九：肺开窍于鼻，脾开窍于口，心开窍于舌，肝开窍于目，肾开窍于耳，另外前后二阴也算作窍。
脊柱有二十一节椎骨。肺有六叶，两耳附着于脊柱第三椎旁，称为华盖。心有七个孔窍，附着于脊柱第五椎旁，形状如莲蕊，外面有心包络包裹，中间通连肺、脾、肝、肾，心下有膈膜，周围遮蔽浊气。肝有七叶，左边三叶右边四叶，附着于脊柱第九椎旁。胆长三寸，位于肝叶之下，称为清净之府。脾形状像刀镰，与胃相连膜，胃对应脊柱第十一椎，分为上脘、中脘、下脘以通达肠道，称为太仓。肾有两个，附着于脊柱第十四椎，下部中间的命门真阳，是生命的根本。小肠连接胃的下口，前方附着于肚脐，后方靠近脊柱左侧回旋折叠十六曲，以泌别清浊。大肠连接小肠下口，位于脐右侧回旋折叠十六曲，通达广肠，抵直肠，传导浊物从后阴排出。膀胱没有上口，对应脊柱第十九椎，通过气化作用渗漏水液，从前阴排出。仔细思考“交肠”这一病症，可知膀胱其实也有上口但平时关闭，依靠三焦的气化作用，水液渗入膀胱成为尿液。
三焦相火，游行于各条经脉，遍布全身上下。上焦如雾，位于胃之上脘，主管宣发阳气；中焦如沤，位于胃之中脘，蒸化水谷精微；下焦如渎，位于脐下，济泌分别汁液。这是十二脏腑的形象部位，应该对照图谱来仔细辨认。
向内验证，各种气都归属于肺，各种血都由脾统摄，各种脉都归属于心，各种筋都隶属于肝，各种髓都由肾主管，各种脏腑都禀受胃气。向外验证，肺主皮毛，脾主肌肉，肝主爪甲，胃主四肢，肾主五液。汗由心化生，涕由肺化生，泪由肝化生，涎由脾化生，唾由肾化生。心主宰舌头的色泽。人体最宝贵的，只有精、气、神。神生于气，气生于精，精能化气，气能化神。所以精是身体的根本，气是神的主宰，形体是神的居所。精神依托于精，如同鱼依赖水；气依托于精，如同雾气汇聚于深渊。所以阴精充沛奉养的人寿命长。
谈到形体，头部是诸阳经会合之处，囟门是髓的门户，头发是脑的外华，天庭是眉毛的屋檐，瞳孔是肾的精气反映，明堂（鼻准）是面色变化的应验处，口角是大地的仓库，牙龈是胃的脉络，牙齿是骨骼的余气，会厌是声音的门户，廉泉是津液的道路，舌头是心的苗窍，咽喉是脉气聚集的地方。脾、胃、心、肾、肝、小肠的经脉都循行经过咽喉两侧。脉是营气居住的地方，玄府（汗孔）是汗液排出的孔道，胸中是阳气的城郭，离宫（心）是神的舍宅，募原是五脏的空隙，膈肓是上下之间的屏障，气街是经脉通行的隧道，神阙（肚脐）是脐的宫殿，背部是经脉腧穴所在，即十二经俞穴。脊柱是身体的支柱，骶骨是脊柱的辅助，腋窝是肩部的山谷，肘部是肢体的关节，手臂是身体的驱使，肩下臂上，内侧称为臑，外侧称为膊，关节处为肘，肘下为臂，臂下为腕。关部在腕骨中间，寸部在关前，尺部在关后，合谷在手骨分歧处，大指和二指陷中的虎口穴。劳宫穴在手掌中心。腰部是精的府库，命门是生命的根基，肾是胃的关口，季肋是胆的部位，宗筋是阴茎的系带，睾丸是肾的外部征候，胞宫是任脉的内侧维系。任脉主管胞胎。尻骨是关节的末端，关节是骨骼的枢纽，大腿是髀骨的延续，膝盖是筋的总汇，腘窝是膝盖的弯曲处，小腿肚子是足的肚腹，踝骨是骨骼的突起，足背是足的面，脚后跟是足的根，涌泉穴是足底的心。这些都是按照部位确定名称可以逐一列举的。
In the natural world, Heaven warms and nourishes with Yang Qi (vital energy), while Earth embraces and nurtures with Yin Form. Those born between Heaven and Earth are formed by Yang transforming into Qi and Yin condensing into form. The throat connects upward to Heaven's Qi, and the pharynx receives downward the food and drink produced by Earth. (The throat is anterior, the pharynx posterior.)
Those receiving grain and water transform into turbid Qi, while those receiving atmospheric air transform into clear Qi. Clear Qi enters the Lung, and turbid Qi moves to the Stomach. Turbidity becomes Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), and clarity becomes Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi). Ying is Yin, and Wei is Yang; Ying Qi circulates within the vessels, while Wei Qi circulates outside the vessels. Yin and Yang Qi interconnect like a circle without beginning or end. Middle Qi emerges from the Upper Jiao (Upper Burner), Ying Qi emerges from the Middle Jiao, and Wei Qi emerges from the Lower Jiao. All are the vigorous essence of grain and water, circulating and spreading throughout the Zang and Fu organs. (The refined essence of grain and water is called Ying Qi, and the vigorous, slippery part is called Wei Qi.)
There are five Zang organs: the Heart stores Shen (Spirit), the Lung stores Po (Corporeal Soul), the Liver stores Hun (Ethereal Soul), the Spleen stores Yi (Intellect), and the Kidney stores Zhi (Willpower). There are six Fu organs: the Gallbladder has no entry or exit (referring to its function of excreting bile rather than receiving waste directly), the Stomach receives grain and water, the Small Intestine and Large Intestine govern fluids, and the Bladder and Triple Burner govern Qi transformation. The five Zang organs store essence and do not leak; their characteristic is "fullness" but not "solidity," so maintaining retention is considered tonification. The six Fu organs transmit and transform without storing; their characteristic is "solidity" but not "fullness," so promoting unobstructed flow is considered tonification.
The Lung's Qi descends to the right, and the Liver's Qi ascends to the left. The Spleen transports Yin essence, and the Stomach receives Yang Qi. The Bladder governs opening for urination, and the Kidney governs closing for retention. The Stomach prefers coolness, the intestines prefer warmth, the Gallbladder prefers mildness, the Heart dislikes heat, the Lung dislikes cold, the Liver dislikes wind, the Kidney dislikes dryness, and the Spleen dislikes dampness. Understanding the suffering (pathological tendencies) and desires (physiological preferences) of the five Zang organs allows for distinct methods of tonification and sedation. The Liver suffers from tension, the Heart from flaccidity, the Spleen from dampness, the Lung from rebellious Qi ascending, and the Kidney from dryness. The Liver desires dispersion, the Heart desires softening/moistening, the Spleen desires relaxation, the Lung desires astringency, and the Kidney desires firmness. Examining the entry and exit of the six Fu organs distinguishes clear from turbid, due to the differing natures of Yin Zang and Yang Fu organs.
Outside the five Zang organs lies the Pericardium (Heart Protector), also known as Danzhong (Chest Center). It acts on behalf of the Heart and pairs with the Triple Burner, completing the twelve Zang-Fu organs. The twelve meridians affiliated with these organs have specific directions of flow. The three Hand Yin meridians—Hand Taiyin Lung, Hand Shaoyin Heart, and Hand Jueyin Pericardium—flow from the Zang organs to the hands. The three Hand Yang meridians—Hand Taiyang Small Intestine, Hand Shaoyang Triple Burner, and Hand Yangming Large Intestine—flow from the hands to the head. The three Foot Yang meridians—Foot Taiyang Bladder, Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder, and Foot Yangming Stomach—flow from the head to the feet. The three Foot Yin meridians—Foot Taiyin Spleen, Foot Shaoyin Kidney, and Foot Jueyin Liver—flow from the feet to the abdomen.
Taiyang and Shaoyin are exterior-interior pairs, Shaoyang and Jueyin are exterior-interior pairs, and Yangming and Taiyin are exterior-interior pairs, each pairing one Zang with one Fu organ. All Yang meridians converge on the head and face, while all Yin meridians return after reaching the chest and neck. Only the Jueyin Liver meridian ascends into the nasopharynx, connects to the eye system, rises to the forehead, and meets the Du Meridian at the vertex.
The meridian running along the back is the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian, governing the exterior. Diseases here primarily manifest as headache and spinal stiffness. The meridian running along the front is the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian, governing both exterior and interior. Diseases here primarily manifest as body heat and eye pain. The meridian running along the side is the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, governing half-exterior half-interior. Diseases here primarily manifest as hypochondriac pain, deafness, and alternating chills and fever. Foot Jueyin Liver is Yang within Yin; diseases manifest as irritability, fullness, and retraction of the scrotum. Foot Shaoyin Kidney is Yin within Yin; diseases manifest as dry tongue and mouth. Foot Taiyin Spleen is Extreme Yin within Yin; diseases manifest as abdominal fullness and dry throat, all indicating interior conditions.
Regarding the Eight Extraordinary Vessels, the Yin Linking Vessel (Yinwei Mai) ascends from the medial malleolus and governs the interior of the body; the Yang Linking Vessel (Yangwei Mai) ascends from the lateral malleolus and governs the exterior of the body, thereby regulating the Ying and Wei of the whole body. Disease of the Yinwei manifests as heart pain, and disease of the Yangwei manifests as alternating chills and fever. The Yin Heel Vessel (Yinqiao Mai) originates in the heel, ascends along the medial malleolus, and governs the Yin of the left and right sides of the body. The Yang Heel Vessel (Yangqiao Mai) originates in the heel, ascends along the lateral malleolus, and governs the Yang of the left and right sides, facilitating agility through the coordination of Yin and Yang. Disease of Yinqiao presents with spasm of the inner aspect and straight legs; disease of Yangqiao presents with spasm of the outer aspect and frantic running.
The Du Meridian (Governing Vessel) originates at Huiyin, runs along the back, and commands all Yang meridians. Disease of Du manifests as spinal rigidity and collapse. The Ren Meridian (Conception Vessel) originates at Huiyin, runs along the abdomen, and assumes responsibility for all Yin meridians. Disease of Ren manifests as hernia in men and masses in women. The Chong Meridian (Penetrating Vessel) also originates at Huiyin, ascends alongside the umbilicus to the chest, occupying a critical junction for Qi. Originating from one source but branching into three, disease of Chong manifests as rebellious Qi and abdominal urgency. The Dai Meridian (Girdle Vessel) originates at the costal margin, encircles the waist horizontally, and binds all meridians. Disease of Dai manifests as abdominal distension and lower back pain. These eight vessels lack exterior-interior pairing, hence they are called Extraordinary Vessels. When the twelve regular meridians overflow with Qi and Blood, it flows into the extraordinary vessels, much like ditches overflowing into lakes during rain.
Beyond the meridians are the collaterals (Luo). There are fifteen main collaterals: one from each of the twelve meridians, plus the collaterals of Yangqiao and Yinqiao, and the large collateral of the Spleen. Generally, straight paths are meridians, and horizontal branches are collaterals. Collaterals branch further into Sun-collaterals (Grandchild Collaterals), corresponding to 365 acupoints. Initial illness resides in the collaterals, while chronic illness penetrates into the meridians. This system circulates Qi and Blood, connects Yin and Yang, and nourishes the body. Qi primarily provides warming, and Blood primarily provides moistening.
The Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian often has abundant Blood and scarce Qi. The Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian often has scarce Blood and abundant Qi. The Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian often has abundant Blood and abundant Qi. The Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian often has abundant Blood and scarce Qi. The Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian often has scarce Blood and abundant Qi. The Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian often has abundant Blood and scarce Qi. Their盈虚 (fullness and emptiness) are thus.
Qi and Blood circulate in a specific sequence: Zi hour (11 PM-1 AM) enters the Gallbladder, Chou hour (1 AM-3 AM) enters the Liver, Yin hour (3 AM-5 AM) enters the Lung, Mao hour (5 AM-7 AM) enters the Large Intestine, Chen hour (7 AM-9 AM) enters the Stomach, Si hour (9 AM-11 AM) enters the Spleen, Wu hour (11 AM-1 PM) enters the Heart, Wei hour (1 PM-3 PM) enters the Small Intestine, Shen hour (3 PM-5 PM) enters the Bladder, You hour (5 PM-7 PM) enters the Kidney, Xu hour (7 PM-9 PM) enters the Pericardium, and Hai hour (9 PM-11 PM) enters the Triple Burner. This cycle continues indefinitely.
Blood follows Qi. In Spring, Qi is in the meridians; in Summer, in the sun-collaterals; in Late Summer, in the muscles; in Autumn, in the skin; and in Winter, in the bone marrow. Their depth varies thus.
There are four Seas: Chong is the Sea of Blood, Danzhong is the Sea of Qi, the Brain is the Sea of Marrow, and the Stomach is the Sea of Grain and Water. There are seven Gates: Lips are Feimen (Flying Gate), Teeth are Humen (Household Gate), Epiglottis is Ximen (Suction Gate), Upper Stomach opening is Benmen (Gate of Entry), Lower Stomach opening is Youmen (Secluded Gate), Lower Small Intestine opening is Lanmen (Screen Gate), and Lower Large Intestine opening is Pomen (Corporeal Gate), i.e., the anus. There are nine Orifices: Lungs open at the nose, Spleen at the mouth, Heart at the tongue, Liver at the eyes, Kidneys at the ears, and the two lower orifices (urethra and anus) complete the count.
The spine has twenty-one vertebrae. The Lung has six lobes. The two ears attach near the third thoracic vertebra, called Huagai (Imperial Canopy). The Heart has seven apertures, attaches near the fifth thoracic vertebra, resembling a lotus stamen, wrapped externally by the Pericardium, connecting internally to the Lung, Spleen, Liver, and Kidney. Below the Heart is the diaphragm, shielding turbid Qi. The Liver has seven lobes (three left, four right), attaching near the ninth thoracic vertebra. The Gallbladder is three cun long, located below the liver lobes, called the Pure and Clear Organ. The Spleen resembles a sickle, connected to the Stomach by membrane. The Stomach corresponds to the eleventh thoracic vertebra, divided into Upper, Middle, and Lower Wan to reach the intestines, called the Grand Granary. The Kidneys are two, attaching near the fourteenth thoracic vertebra. The Mingmen (Gate of Life) True Yang below them is the root of life. The Small Intestine connects to the lower stomach opening, anteriorly attached to the umbilicus, posteriorly looping sixteen times around the left spine to separate clear from turbid. The Large Intestine connects to the lower small intestine opening, looping sixteen times on the right of the umbilicus, reaching the broad intestine and rectum, transmitting turbidity out through the posterior orifice. The Bladder has no upper opening, corresponds to the nineteenth thoracic vertebra, transforms Qi to seep water, and excretes via the anterior orifice. Reflecting on the syndrome of "Jiaochang" (crossed intestines), we know the Bladder does have an upper opening that remains closed normally, relying on Triple Burner Qi transformation for water to seep into the bladder to become urine.
Triple Burner Minister Fire travels through all meridians, up and down the body. The Upper Jiao is like mist, located above the middle stomach, governing the emission of Yang Qi. The Middle Jiao is like fermentation, located at the middle stomach, steaming and transforming fine essences. The Lower Jiao is like a ditch, located below the umbilicus, filtering and separating juices. These are the morphological locations of the twelve Zang-Fu organs, best understood by consulting diagrams.
Internally, all Qi belongs to the Lung, all Blood is controlled by the Spleen, all vessels belong to the Heart, all sinews are subordinate to the Liver, all marrow is managed by the Kidney, and all Zang organs receive Qi from the Stomach. Externally, the Lung governs skin and hair, the Spleen governs muscles, the Liver governs nails, the Stomach governs the four limbs, and the Kidney governs the five fluids. Sweat is generated by the Heart, nasal discharge by the Lung, tears by the Liver, saliva by the Spleen, and thick saliva by the Kidney. The Heart governs the color of the tongue. The most precious aspects of the body are Jing (Essence), Qi, and Shen (Spirit). Shen arises from Qi, Qi arises from Jing, Jing transforms into Qi, and Qi transforms into Shen. Thus, Jing is the root of the body, Qi is the master of Shen, and Form is the residence of Shen. Spirit relies on Essence like fish rely on water; Qi relies on Essence like fog gathers in an abyss. Therefore, those whose Yin Essence is abundant enjoy longevity.
Regarding form, the head is the gathering place of Yang, the fontanelle is the gate of Marrow, hair is the flower of the Brain, the forehead is the eaves of the eyebrows, the pupil is the essence of the Kidney, the Mingtang (nose tip) reflects complexion, the corners of the mouth are the granaries of Earth, the gums are the collaterals of the Stomach, teeth are the remainder of bone, the epiglottis is the door of voice, Lianquan is the channel of fluids, the tongue is the sprout of the Heart, and the pharynx is the gathering of pulses. The meridians of the Spleen, Stomach, Heart, Kidney, Liver, and Small Intestine all run along and flank the pharynx. Pulses are the dwelling of Ying Qi, Xuanfu (sweat pores) are the holes for sweat, the chest is the city wall of Yang Qi, the Li Palace (Heart) is the house of Shen, Muyuan are the voids of the five Zang organs, Ge-Huang is the barrier between upper and lower, Qijie are the tunnels of the meridians, Shenque (navel) is the palace of the umbilicus, the back is the site of Shu points (twelve meridian Shu acupoints). The spine is the pillar of the body, the sacrum is the support of the spine, the axilla is the valley of the shoulder, the elbow is the joint of the limb, the arm is the driver of the body. From shoulder down to arm, the inner side is called Nao, the outer side Bo. Joints are elbows, below elbows are arms, below arms are wrists. Guan is in the middle of the wrist bone, Cun is before Guan, Chi is after Guan. Hegu is at the divergence of bones, the Tiger Mouth acupoint is in the depression between the thumb and index finger. Laogong is in the center of the palm. The waist is the mansion of Essence, Mingmen is the root of life, the Kidney is the gate of the Stomach, the costal margin is the region of the Gallbladder, Zongjin (tendons) are the ties of the penis, the testicles are external signs of the Kidney, and the Uterus is the internal support of the Ren Meridian. The Ren Meridian governs conception. The coccyx is the end of joints, joints are the pivot of bones, the thigh is the continuation of the femur, the knee is the general of sinews, the popliteal fossa is the bend of the knee, the calf is the belly of the foot, the ankle is the protrusion of bone, the dorsum is the surface of the foot, the heel is the root of the foot, Yongquan is the heart of the sole. These are names determined by anatomical regions, which can be listed one by one.