MERIDIANs and our bodies

System of Meridian/ Channel Network

MERIDIANs and our bodies

The meridian system can be divided into three main parts: the meridians (Jing), the collaterals (Luo), and the tendino-muscular regions and superficial pathways (Jingjin and Pibu). The system spread throughout the entire body, serving as channels for the circulation of Qi, blood, and body fluids. Also, those that run vertically are called meridians, and those that run horizontally are called collaterals. The system is connecting and integrating the body’s organs, fascia, bones, muscles, skin, and sensory orifices into a cohesive system. As stated in the Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon), Lingshu (The Spiritual Pivot), Chapter Ben Cang:

“The meridians function to circulate Qi and blood, regulate Yin and Yang, nourish the tendons and bones, and facilitate joint movement.”

1. Meridians

Common Name: Jing/Jingmai

The meridians can be classified into three categories: the primary meridians (Zhengjing), the extraordinary meridians (Qijing), and the longitudinal branches of the primary meridians, known as the “Twelve Divergent Meridians” (Shier Jingbie). A detailed introduction to these three categories is as follows:

1.1 Twelve Primary Meridians

Common Name: Main Channels/Regular Meridians/ Zheng Jing

The main Channels has twelve meridians, which are the main body of the meridian system in traditional Chinese medicine. The twelve meridians are symmetrical on the left and right sides in the body and are distributed on the head, face, trunk, and limbs. The meridians corresponding to the five internal organs are called yin meridians, which are distributed on the inside of the limbs, chest, and abdomen; the meridians connected to the six internal organs are called yang meridians, which are distributed on the outside of the limbs, head, face, and back of the trunk. Please click on the list below to enter each meridian.

Hand-Taiyin

Hand-Yangming

Foot-Yangming

Foot-Taiyin

Hand-shaoyin

Hand-Taiyang

Foot-Taiyang

Foot-Shaoyin

Hand-Jueyin

Hand-shaoyang

Foot-Shaoyang

Foot-Jueyin

1.2 Eight Extraordinary Meridians

Common Name: Qijing 8 Mai/ Qijingbamai

The Eight Extraordinary Meridians play a role in governing, connecting, and regulating the rise and fall of qi and blood throughout the body. Interestingly, they are not directly connected to the organs, nor do they have exclusive acupuncture points (except for the Ren and Du meridians). Instead, they are formed by integrating points from the 12 primary meridians and the acupuncture points of the Ren and Du meridians. Except for the Belt Vessel (Dai Mai), all other extraordinary meridians travel upward from the lower body, following “unusual pathways,” which is why they are called “extraordinary” meridians. When the 12 meridians have an excess of qi and blood, the Eight Extraordinary Meridians store the surplus; when the 12 meridians are deficient, the extraordinary meridians release the stored qi and blood to replenish them in time.
Please click 13–20 to explore the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.

Renmai

Dumai

Chongmai

Daimai

Yinciaomai

Yangqiaomai

Yinweimai

Yangweimai

1.3 The Twelve Divergent Meridians

Each primary channel has its own divergent channel, so there are 12 primary channels and 12 divergent channels. The divergent channel of the Yang primary channel separates from the primary channel on the limbs, enters both the primary channel’s Yang organ and the internally-externally related Yin organ, comes out at the supraclavicular fossa, neck, or face, and then rejoins the primary channel. The divergent channel of the Yin primary channel separates from the primary channel on the limbs, enters the primary channel’s Yin organ, connects with the divergent channel of the internally-externally related Yang primary channel, and then joins the Yang primary channel.

2. Collaterals Meridians

Common Name: Luo/Luomai

Collaterals

Common Name: Luo/Luomai

The collateral meridians are divided into the Fifteen Luo-connecting Meridians, Superficial Collaterals, and Minute Collaterals. They are transverse branches of the meridians that connect the interior-exterior paired meridians or the organs.

Large Luo/ Daluo

Float Luo/ Fuluo

Grandson Luo/ Sunluo

2.1 The Fifteen Divergent Collaterals

These include the twelve meridians (at the limbs), the Ren and Du meridians (at the chest, abdomen, and back), and the Great Luo of the Spleen (at the chest and hypochondrium). Each of these meridians has a transverse branch, making a total of fifteen. The Fifteen Luo-connecting Meridians are mostly distributed on the body surface, playing a role in strengthening the connection and regulation between the interior-exterior paired yin and yang meridians.

2.2 Superficial Collaterals

These run at the superficial layers of the body and are mainly distributed on the skin surface.

2.3 Tertiary Collaterals

These are the finest branches derived from the Luo-connecting meridians.

3. Subsidiary parts of the meridians

Common Name: Luo/Luomai

They are divided into the Twelve Sinew Meridians and the Twelve Cutaneous Regions, both of which belong to the twelve meridian systems. These regions encompass the body’s sinews, muscles, skin, and tissues, which are nourished by the qi and blood flowing through the meridians.

3.1 The Twelve Sinew Regions

The Twelve Sinew Regions are the parts of the twelve meridians that connect to the sinews and muscles. Their function is to contract and stretch, facilitate joint movement, maintain bodily motion, and sustain proper posture. Their activity relies on the nourishment of qi and blood through the meridians and is regulated by the twelve meridians.

3.2 The Twelve Skin Regions

The Twelve Skin (Cutaneous) Regions are specific areas on the body surface corresponding to the twelve meridians. The skin of the entire body reflects the functional activity of the twelve meridians, so it is divided into twelve sections, each associated with a meridian. The progression of disease transmission in the body follows the sequence of skin → collaterals → meridians → intestines → organs. Similarly, pathological changes in the organs and meridians can manifest on the skin.
Note: [Suwen], in the chapter “Discussion on the Cutaneous Regions,” states: “The skin is divided into regions.” “The skin is the external manifestation of the meridians.”