Meridian Tendons
The meridian tendons comprise the system of the twelve regular meridians, which connects tendons and muscles of the body£®Its functional activities rely on the nourishing of qi and blood of the meridians and is regulated by the twelve regular meridians. It is also deviated into twelve regions called "The twelve meridian tendons."

The twelve tendons possess physiological functions connect and maintain the bones and the normal movement of the joints. Chapter 44 in Plain Questions says: "The meridian tendons" dominate and control the bones and promote the joints movements£®

Skin Areas
The skin areas are referred to as the regions divided according to the distributions of the meridians and collaterals on the surface of the body. Chapter 56 in Plain Questions states: "The skin can be divided into different regions," and "The skin is the exterior region where the meridians distribute." The twelve regular meridians and their attached collaterals distribute on certain areas of the body surface, and accordingly, the whole skin of the body is divided into twelve areas which is termed "the twelve skin areas."

Chapter 50 in Pl ain Questions states: "The skin areas are marked by the regular meridians," and "The skin areas are the parts of meridian system located in the superficial region of the body." Thus, the skin areas belong to the region where the meridians and collaterals distribute, and the meridian-qi remains. It is helpful to diagnose diseases of the viscera, meridians and collaterals through observing the changes of the color and morphology of the different cutaneous regions. The therapies of external pasting, moxibustion, and hot medicated compressing applied to certain areas of the skin for treatment of internal visceral diseases derive from the application of the skin areas theory on diagnosis and treatment.