（以其起于气冲故名。娄全善曰∶冲脉亦行身之前，挟任脉两旁，张世贤谓直冲于上者非）
《素问》曰∶冲脉起于气街（即气冲穴也，在少腹毛中两旁各二寸），并少阴之经（足少阴肾经也）。挟脐上
行，至胸中而散。为病逆气里急（逆气，不上行也。里急，腹胀痛也）。《灵枢》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，与少阴之大络，起于肾下，出于气街，
循阴股内廉，斜入 中，伏行 骨内廉（ 骨，胫骨也），下至内股之后，入足下属而别，斜入踝；其下者，
并于少阴之经，渗三阴；其前者，伏行出属跗上，下入大趾间，渗诸络以为足胫，此脉之常动者也。故别络结，
则跗上不动，不动则厥，厥则寒矣（张世贤谓∶《内经》言冲脉并足少阴之经，而《难经》却言并足阳明之经，
不同，何也？盖足阳明胃经者，气冲脉之所发；足少阴肾经者，气冲脉之所行。一自其所行而言，一自其所发
而言，故不同也。《灵枢》曰∶任脉，冲脉，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，血气盛则充肤热肉，血独盛，则澹渗皮肤，生毫毛）。
（周如束带，故名）《难经》曰∶带脉起于季胁，回身一周（季胁，章门穴也，一名胁 。在
脐旁九寸，直季胁端，脾之募穴也。故洁古以为太阴所主，东垣以为脾之附经）。为病腹满，腰溶溶如坐水中。
刘河间曰∶妇人带
下，由下焦湿热太甚，津液涌溢，从带脉淋沥而下也。
（冲脉之所以得名，是因为它起始于气冲穴。娄全善说：冲脉也行走在身体前方，夹在任脉两旁，张世贤认为直冲向上的说法是不对的。）
《素问》说：冲脉起始于气街（即气冲穴，位于小腹毛发两侧各二寸处），与足少阴肾经并行。它夹着肚脐向上行走，到达胸部后散开。发生病变时会出现气逆和腹部拘急疼痛的症状（气逆，指气不上行；里急，指腹胀痛）。
《灵枢》说：冲脉是五脏六腑气血汇聚的大海，五脏六腑都从中汲取营养。其中上行的一支，出于鼻咽部（颃颡），渗透滋养诸阳经，灌注精气；下行的一支，与足少阴肾经的大络相并，起始于肾脏下方，出于气街，沿着大腿内侧前缘行走，斜入腘窝中，伏行于胫骨内侧（胫骨，即小腿骨），向下到达大腿后侧内踝上方然后分叉，斜入脚踝；另一支下行路线，并与足少阴肾经并行，渗透滋养足三阴经；其前行的一支，伏行而出至足背上方，向下进入大脚趾之间，渗透诸络脉以滋养足胫，这是该脉正常搏动的表现。因此，如果别络结滞，则足背上就摸不到脉搏跳动，没有搏动就会发生厥证，厥证就会出现寒冷症状。（张世贤说：《内经》记载冲脉与足少阴肾经并行，而《难经》却记载与足阳明胃经并行，两者不同，为什么呢？大概足阳明胃经是气冲脉的发源地；足少阴肾经是气冲脉的通行路径。一个是从其通行路径而言，一个是从其发源地而言，所以有所不同。《灵枢》说：任脉和冲脉都起始于胞中，向上沿脊柱内部行走，成为经络之海，其中浮行于体表外的部分，沿腹部右侧上行，会合于咽喉，分支联络口唇。血气旺盛则充盈皮肤、温暖肌肉，若血特别旺盛，则渗灌皮肤，生长毫毛）。
（带脉之所以得名，是因为它像腰带一样环绕身体一周。）
《难经》说：带脉起始于季胁，环绕身体一周（季胁，即章门穴，又名季胁，位于脐旁九寸，正对季胁末端，是脾脏的募穴。所以洁古认为它由太阴所主，东垣认为它是脾经的附属经脉）。发生病变时会出现腹部胀满、腰部松软无力如同坐在水中的感觉。
(The Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) is named so because it originates from the Qichong point. Lou Quanshan stated: The Penetrating Vessel also runs along the anterior aspect of the body, flanking the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel). Zhang Shixian argued that the description of it rushing straight upward is incorrect.)
The *Suwen* (Basic Questions) states: The Penetrating Vessel originates at the Qicheng (Qichong) point (which is the Qichong acupoint, located two cun lateral to the midline in the pubic region), and runs parallel with the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. It ascends flanking the navel, dispersing within the chest. When diseased, it manifests as rebellious Qi and internal urgency (Rebellious Qi refers to Qi failing to ascend; internal urgency refers to abdominal distension and pain).
The *Lingshu* (Spiritual Pivot) states: The Penetrating Vessel is the Sea of the Five Zang and Six Fu Organs; all five zang and six fu organs receive nourishment from it. Its ascending branch emerges at the nasopharynx (Hangsang), permeates the Yang meridians, and irrigates the essence; its descending branch joins the large collateral of the Foot-Shaoyin, originating below the kidney, emerging at the Qicheng, following the medial aspect of the thigh, obliquely entering the popliteal fossa, running deep along the medial aspect of the tibia (tibia, i.e., the shinbone), descending to the posterior aspect of the lower leg above the ankle where it branches, and obliquely entering the ankle; another descending branch runs parallel with the Foot-Shaoyin Meridian, permeating the Three Yin meridians; its anterior branch runs deep, emerges on the dorsum of the foot, descends between the great toe and the second toe, permeating the various collaterals to nourish the foot and lower leg. This is the normal pulsation of this vessel. Therefore, if the collateral branches become obstructed, there will be no pulse felt on the dorsum of the foot; without pulsation, Jue syndrome (reversal cold) occurs, leading to coldness. (Zhang Shixian said: The *Neijing* records that the Penetrating Vessel runs parallel with the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, whereas the *Nanjing* records it running parallel with the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. Why are they different? Essentially, the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian is the site of origin for the Qi associated with the Penetrating Vessel; the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian is the pathway through which it travels. One description refers to its pathway, the other to its origin, hence the difference. The *Lingshu* states: The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) and the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) both originate in the Baozhong (uterus/central cavity), ascend along the interior of the spine, serving as the Sea of the Collaterals. The portion that floats outward follows the right side of the abdomen upward, meets at the throat, and branches to connect with the lips and mouth. When blood and Qi are abundant, they fill the skin and warm the flesh; when blood is particularly abundant, it permeates the skin and generates hair.)
(The Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel) is named so because it encircles the body like a belt.)
The *Nanjing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) states: The Girdle Vessel originates at the hypochondrium (Ji Xie) and encircles the body once (The hypochondrium refers to the Zhangmen acupoint, also known as Ji Xie, located nine cun lateral to the umbilicus, directly at the end of the hypochondrium, and is the Front-Mu point of the Spleen. Thus, Jiegu considered it governed by the Taiyin, while Dongyuan regarded it as an affiliated meridian of the Spleen). When diseased, it manifests as abdominal fullness and a sensation of the loins being loose and weak, as if sitting in water.
Liu Hejian stated: In women, leukorrhea arises from excessive damp-heat in the Lower Jiao (Lower Burner), causing fluids to surge and overflow, dripping down from the Girdle Vessel.