手太阴之别名曰列缺,起于腕上分间,并太阴之经直入掌中,散入于鱼际。其病实则手
锐掌
热,虚则欠劫,小便遗数,取之去腕半寸,别走阳明也。手少阳阴之别名曰通里,去腕一寸
半,别而上行,循经入于心中,系舌本,属目系。实则支鬲,虚则不能言,取之掌后一寸,
别走太阳也。手心主之别名曰内关,去腕二寸,出于两筋之间,循经心上系,于心包络。心
系实则心痛,虚则头强,取之两筋间也。手太阳之别名曰支正,上腕五寸,内注少阴;其别
者上走肘络肩 。实则节弛肘废,虚则生 ,小者如指痂疥,取之所别也。手阳明之络名曰
偏历,去腕三寸,别入太阴。其别者上循臂乘肩 ,上曲颊偏齿;其别者入耳,合于宗脉。
实则龋聋,虚则齿寒痹,隔取之所别也。手少别名曰外关,去腕二寸,外绕臂注胸中。合心
主,病实则肘挛,虚则不收,取之所别也。足太阳之别名曰飞扬,去踝七寸,别走少阴。实
则鼽窒头背痛,虚则鼽衄,取之所别也。足少阳之别名曰光明,去踝五寸,别走厥阴,下络
足跗。实则厥,虚则痿蹶,坐不能起,取之所别也。足阳明之别名曰丰隆,去踝八寸,别走
太阴,其别者循胫骨外廉,上络头项,合诸经之气下络喉咽。其病气逆,则喉痹瘁喑,实则
狂癫,虚则足不收胫枯,取之所别也。足太阴之别名曰公孙,去本节之后一寸,别走阳明;
其别者入络肠胃,厥气上逆则霍乱。实则肠中切痛,虚则鼓胀,取之所别也。足少阴之别名
曰大钟,当踝后绕跟,别走太阳;其别者并经上走于心包下,外贯腰脊。其病气逆则烦闷,
实则闭癃,虚则腰痛,取之所别也。足厥阴之别名曰蠡沟,去内踝五寸,别走少阳;其别者
径胫上睾结于茎。其病气逆则睾肿卒疝,实则挺长,虚则暴痒,取之所别也。任脉之别名曰
尾翳,下鸠尾散于腹。寮则腹皮痛,虚则痒瘙,取之所别也。督脉之别名曰长强,挟膂上项
散头上,下当肩胛左右;别走太阳,入贯膂。实则脊强,虚则头重高摇之,夹脊之有过者,
取之所别也。脾之大络名曰大包,出渊液下三寸,布胸胁。实则身尽痛,虚则百节尽皆纵,
此脉若罗络之血者,皆取之脾大络也。凡此十五络者,实则必见,虚则必下视之,不见求之
上下,人经不同,络脉异所别也。
手太阴肺经的别络名叫列缺,起始于腕后分肉之间,与手太阴肺经主干并行,直入掌中,散布于鱼际部位。其病证表现为实证时手掌和手腕锐部发热,虚证时频频呵欠、小便频数或失禁,治疗应取去腕横纹半寸处的穴位,此络脉由此别走入手阳明大肠经。
手少阴心经的别络名叫通里(注:原文“手少阳阴”疑为“手少阴”之误,依《灵枢·经脉》校正),位于腕后一寸半处,由此别行向上,沿经脉进入心中,联系舌根,归属于目系。其实证表现为胸胁支撑胀满,虚证则不能言语,治疗应取腕后一寸处的穴位,此络脉由此别走入手太阳小肠经。
手厥阴心包经的别络名叫内关,位于腕后二寸处,出于两筋之间,沿经脉上行心系,归属于心包络。其实证表现为心痛,虚证则头项强急,治疗应取两筋之间的穴位。
手太阳小肠经的别络名叫支正,位于腕后五寸处,向内注入足少阴肾经;其分支上行至肘部,联络肩部。其实证表现为关节松弛、肘部废用,虚证则皮肤生疮疡,小的如指甲大小的痂疥,治疗应取该络脉别出之处。
手阳明大肠经的别络名叫偏历,位于腕后三寸处,别行进入手太阴肺经。其分支沿手臂上行,经过肩部,上达曲颊并旁及牙齿;另一分支进入耳中,与宗脉相合。其实证表现为龋齿耳聋,虚证则牙齿寒冷痹痛,治疗应在对侧选取该络脉别出之处(隔取)。
手少阳三焦经的别络名叫外关,位于腕后二寸处,向外绕行臂部,注入胸中,与手厥阴心包经相合。其实证表现为肘部拘挛,虚证则肘部弛缓不收,治疗应取该络脉别出之处。
足太阳膀胱经的别络名叫飞扬,位于踝后七寸处,别行走入足少阴肾经。其实证表现为鼻塞流涕、头痛背痛,虚证则鼻塞流清涕或鼻出血,治疗应取该络脉别出之处。
足少阳胆经的别络名叫光明,位于踝后五寸处,别行走入足厥阴肝经,向下联络足背。其实证表现为四肢厥冷,虚证则下肢痿软无力、行走困难,坐起困难,治疗应取该络脉别出之处。
足阳明胃经的别络名叫丰隆,位于踝后八寸处,别行走入足太阴脾经;其分支沿胫骨外侧缘上行,联络头部和项部,汇聚各经之气,向下联络喉咽。其病证若气机上逆,则导致咽喉肿痛、声音嘶哑;其实证表现为狂乱癫疾,虚证则足部弛缓不收、小腿枯瘦,治疗应取该络脉别出之处。
足太阴脾经的别络名叫公孙,位于第一跖骨基底后方一寸处,别行走入足阳明胃经;其分支进入腹腔联络肠胃,若厥气上逆则导致霍乱。其实证表现为肠中剧烈疼痛,虚证则腹部鼓胀,治疗应取该络脉别出之处。
足少阴肾经的别络名叫大钟,位于踝后绕跟腱处,别行走入足太阳膀胱经;其分支沿经脉上行至心包下方,外贯腰脊。其病证若气机上逆则烦闷,其实证表现为小便闭塞不通,虚证则腰痛,治疗应取该络脉别出之处。
足厥阴肝经的别络名叫蠡沟,位于内踝后五寸处,别行走入足少阳胆经;其分支沿胫骨上行至睾丸,结聚于阴茎。其病证若气机上逆则睾丸肿胀、突发疝气,其实证表现为阴茎挺长,虚证则突然瘙痒,治疗应取该络脉别出之处。
任脉的别络名叫尾翳(即鸠尾),位于鸠尾穴下方,散布于腹部。其实证表现为腹皮疼痛,虚证则皮肤瘙痒,治疗应取该络脉别出之处。
督脉的别络名叫长强,挟脊柱两旁上行至项部,散布于头部,向下当肩胛骨左右;别行走入足太阳膀胱经,深入贯穿脊柱肌肉。其实证表现为脊柱强直,虚证则头重难以抬起、摇晃不定,凡夹脊部位有病变的,治疗应取该络脉别出之处。
脾的大络名叫大包,出于渊液穴下三寸处,布散于胸胁。其实证表现为全身疼痛,虚证则全身关节松弛无力,这类脉络如同网罗般分布血液,均应从脾之大络取治。
凡是这十五络脉,实证时必然在体表显现,虚证时必然在下部观察寻找,若不见异常则求之于上下经脉。由于人体经脉不同,络脉别出的部位也各异。
The collateral branch of the Hand-Taiyin [Lung] meridian is named Lieque (LI 7, *Colloquial Error: Should be LU 7*). It originates from the space between the muscles above the wrist, runs parallel with the main trunk of the Hand-Taiyin meridian, enters directly into the palm, and scatters into the Thenar eminence (*Yuji*). When the condition is Excess (*Shi*), there is heat in the sharp angle of the hand and the palm; when it is Deficiency (*Xu*), there is frequent yawning and frequent or incontinent urination. Treatment involves selecting the point half a cun away from the wrist, where this collateral branches off to connect with the Yangming [Large Intestine] meridian.
The collateral branch of the Hand-Shaoyin [Heart] meridian is named Tongli (HT 5). Located one and a half cun distal to the wrist, it branches off and ascends, following the meridian into the heart, connecting with the root of the tongue, and attaching to the eye system. In Excess conditions, there is a sensation of fullness and distension in the chest and hypochondrium; in Deficiency conditions, speech may be impaired. Treatment involves selecting the point one cun distal to the wrist, where this collateral branches off to connect with the Taiyang [Small Intestine] meridian.
The collateral branch of the Hand-Jueyin [Pericardium] meridian is named Neiguan (PC 6). Located two cun distal to the wrist, it emerges between the two tendons, follows the meridian upward to connect with the Heart system, and attaches to the Pericardium. In Excess conditions, there is heart pain; in Deficiency conditions, there is stiffness of the head and neck. Treatment involves selecting the point between the two tendons.
The collateral branch of the Hand-Taiyang [Small Intestine] meridian is named Zhizheng (SI 7). Located five cun proximal to the wrist, it directs inward to the Shaoyin [Kidney] meridian; its branch ascends to the elbow and connects with the shoulder. In Excess conditions, there is flaccidity of the joints and functional impairment of the elbow; in Deficiency conditions, skin sores appear, small ones resembling nail-sized scabs or impetigo. Treatment involves selecting the site where this collateral branches off.
The collateral branch of the Hand-Yangming [Large Intestine] meridian is named Pianli (LI 6). Located three cun distal to the wrist, it branches off to enter the Taiyin [Lung] meridian. Its branch follows the arm upward, passes over the shoulder, reaches the curved cheek, and extends to the teeth; another branch enters the ear and merges with the Zong Mai (Major Vessels). In Excess conditions, there are dental caries and deafness; in Deficiency conditions, there is coldness and bi-syndrome in the teeth. Treatment involves selecting the branching site on the opposite side (*Ge Qu*).
The collateral branch of the Hand-Shaoyang [Sanjiao] meridian is named Waiguan (TE 5). Located two cun distal to the wrist, it winds around the arm externally and injects into the chest, connecting with the Hand-Jueyin [Pericardium]. In Excess conditions, there is contracture of the elbow; in Deficiency conditions, there is flaccidity and inability to grasp. Treatment involves selecting the site where this collateral branches off.
The collateral branch of the Foot-Taiyang [Bladder] meridian is named Feiyang (BL 58). Located seven cun distal to the malleolus, it branches off to walk into the Shaoyin [Kidney] meridian. In Excess conditions, there is rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, headache, and back pain; in Deficiency conditions, there is rhinorrhea or epistaxis. Treatment involves selecting the site where this collateral branches off.
The collateral branch of the Foot-Shaoyang [Gallbladder] meridian is named Guangming (GB 37). Located five cun distal to the malleolus, it branches off to walk into the Jueyin [Liver] meridian and descends to connect with the dorsum of the foot. In Excess conditions, there is cold extremities (*Jue*); in Deficiency conditions, there is flaccidity and difficulty walking, with inability to rise from sitting. Treatment involves selecting the site where this collateral branches off.
The collateral branch of the Foot-Yangming [Stomach] meridian is named Fenglong (ST 40). Located eight cun distal to the malleolus, it branches off to walk into the Taiyin [Spleen] meridian; its branch follows the lateral border of the tibia, ascends to connect with the head and nape, gathers the Qi of all meridians, and descends to connect with the throat. If Qi rebels upward, it leads to sore throat and hoarseness (*Zui Yin*); in Excess conditions, there is mania and epilepsy; in Deficiency conditions, there is flaccidity of the feet and emaciation of the shins. Treatment involves selecting the site where this collateral branches off.
The collateral branch of the Foot-Taiyin [Spleen] meridian is named Gongsun (SP 4). Located one cun posterior to the base of the first metatarsal bone, it branches off to walk into the Yangming [Stomach] meridian; its branch enters the abdomen to connect with the intestines and stomach. If rebellious Qi ascends, it leads to Huoluan (Cholera-like syndrome). In Excess conditions, there is severe cutting pain in the intestines; in Deficiency conditions, there is abdominal distension like a drum. Treatment involves selecting the site where this collateral branches off.
The collateral branch of the Foot-Shaoyin [Kidney] meridian is named Dazhong (KI 4). Located behind the ankle, winding around the heel, it branches off to walk into the Taiyang [Bladder] meridian; its branch ascends along the meridian to below the Pericardium, penetrates externally through the lumbar spine. If Qi rebels upward, there is restlessness and oppression; in Excess conditions, there is urinary retention (*Bi Long*); in Deficiency conditions, there is lower back pain. Treatment involves selecting the site where this collateral branches off.
The collateral branch of the Foot-Jueyin [Liver] meridian is named Ligou (LR 5). Located five cun proximal to the medial malleolus, it branches off to walk into the Shaoyang [Gallbladder] meridian; its branch travels along the shin to the testis and knots at the penis. If Qi rebels upward, there is swelling of the testis and sudden hernia; in Excess conditions, there is priapism (*Ting Chang*); in Deficiency conditions, there is sudden itching. Treatment involves selecting the site where this collateral branches off.
The collateral branch of the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) is named Wei Yi (Jiuwei, CV 15). Located below the Jiuwei point, it scatters into the abdomen. In Excess conditions, there is pain in the abdominal skin; in Deficiency conditions, there is itching. Treatment involves selecting the site where this collateral branches off.
The collateral branch of the Du Mai (Governor Vessel) is named Changqiang (GV 1). Flanking the spinal muscles, it ascends to the nape, scatters on the head, and descends to the area below the shoulder blades; it branches off to walk into the Taiyang [Bladder] meridian and penetrates internally through the spinal muscles. In Excess conditions, there is rigidity of the spine; in Deficiency conditions, there is heaviness of the head and inability to hold it upright without swaying. For pathologies in the paraspinal region, treatment involves selecting the site where this collateral branches off.
The major collateral of the Spleen is named Dabao (SP 21). Emerging three cun below the Yuanye point, it spreads across the chest and hypochondrium. In Excess conditions, there is pain throughout the body; in Deficiency conditions, all joints become flaccid. These vessels, which resemble a net distributing blood, should all be treated by selecting the Major Collateral of the Spleen.
Regarding these fifteen collaterals: in Excess conditions, they will necessarily manifest visibly; in Deficiency conditions, one must look downward to observe them. If no manifestation is seen, seek above and below. Since individual meridians differ, the sites where collaterals branch off also vary.