1.1.1 Composition of meridian system Acupuncture-Point Cataract Colitis Constipation [TCM Discovery Net]

1.1.1 Composition of meridian system

1.1.1 Composition of meridian system
The system of meridians is mainly composed of the twelve regular meridians, twelve meridian branches, fifteen collaterals, twelve meridian tendons, twelve skin areas and eight extraordinary vessels (see Table 1-1).
The twelve meridians are the trunk parts of the meridian system and "are connected with the viscera internally and limbs and skeleton externally" to transport qi and blood to the viscera, limbs and skeleton. The twelve meridian branches are the branches of the twelve meridians to reinforce the connection between the zang and fu organs externally and internally related and the meridians distributing over the head and face in external and internal relation. The fifteen collaterals stem from the twelve meridians and the conception and governor vessels as well as the spleen for reinforcement of the connection of the meridians with internal and external relationship on the four limbs as well as the association of the anterior, posterior and lateral parts of the trunk of the body. The twelve me-ridian tendons stem from the twelve meridians for nourishing and governing the musculature and joints as well as for reinforcing the connection with the three yin meridians and three yang meridians at the same side. The twelve skin areas refer to the collaterals stemming from the twelve meridians and distributing over the skin areas. The system of the twelve meridians (excluding the collaterals of the conception and governor vessels as well as the major collateral of the spleen) extends with the distribution of the trunk parts of the twelve meridians and is the
base for the twelve meridians "to transport qi and blood, nourish yin and yang, moisten tendons and bones as well as smooth the joints". The eight extraordinary vessels distribute among the twelve meridians and function to connect and regulate qi and blood in the twelve meridians. So the twelve meridians form the core of the meridian system and the other parts in the meridian system function to connect, replenish and regulate the twelve meridians.

1.1.2 Distribution of meridian system
1.1.2. 1 The twelve meridians
The twelve meridians are the main part of the meridian system and are also known as "the twelve regular meridians" including three yin meridians of the hand, three
yang meridians of the hand, three yin meridians of the foot and three yang meridians of the foot.
1,1.2. 1.1 Distribution on the surface of the body
The twelve meridians distribute in symmetry on the face, head, trunk and limbs.
Four limbs: The yin meridians distribute along the inner-side of the four limbs, yang meridians on the lateral side of the four limbs. According to yin and yang, taiyin and yangming meridians distribute along the anterior side, shaoyin and taiyang along the posterior side, and jueyin and shaoyang along the middle side. Among these meridians, only jueyin meridian of the foot turns and converges with others in distribution. It runs anterior to the taiyin meridian of the foot 8 cun down to the medial malleolus. From the region 8 cun above the medial malleolus, it converges with taiyin meridian and runs between the taiyin and shaoyin meridians.
Trunk: The six meridians of the foot distribute in the way mentioned above. The only difference is that they pertain to either yin or yang according to the inner side and lateral side of the trunk. The three yang meridians of the foot distribute the surface of the trunk, yangming on the front, taiyang on the back and shaoyang on the lateral side, while the three yin meridians of the foot run in the interior part corresponding to the yang meridians that they are internally and externally related to. Among the six meridians of the hand, the three yang meridians all run over the shoulder to the neck while the three yin meridians all come out of the chest from the armpit.
Head and face: The six yang meridians of the hand and foot all reach the head and face to connect with the five sense organs. That is why it is said '" the head is the£¬convergence of all yang meridians". All the six yin meridians run deep in the head and neck to connect with the throat, tongue and eyes.
1.1.2. 1.2 Association of the twelve meridians with the viscera
As to its rule, the association of the twelve meridians with the viscera is mainly demonstrated as "pertaining and connection". Yin meridians pertain to the zang organs and connect with the fu organs, while yang meridians pertain to the fu organs and connect with the zang organs. Besides the regular "pertaining and connection", the taiyang meridians of the hand and the foot in the six yang meridi-ans also associate with the stomach and the brain; the six yin meridians usually associate with the other zang and fu organs. The following table is a thorough demonstration of such relations among the meridians.

Table1-2 Association of the twelve meridians with the viscera

Meridians

Viscera pertaining to and connecting with

Other viscera

Three yin meridians of the hand

Hand-taiyin

Hand-shaoyin

Hand-jueyin

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