1 General introduction to meridians and acupoints The theory of meridians and acupoints is the basic theory of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy. The science of meridians is the routes that connect different parts of the body; while the science of acupoints is to explain the relation between the viscera and the meridians.

1.1 General introduction to meridians Definition of the Meridians:Meridians Difference between Meridians and collaterals : Difference between Meridians and collaterals

the routes transport qi and blood regulate yin and yang connect the zang-organs with the fu- organs associate the external with the inter- nal as well as the upper with the lower.

Differentence between meridians and collaterals Meridians main trunk run up and down,interiorly and exteriorly within the body in the deeper layer. collaterals branches of meridians networks,thinner and smaller than the meridians, run crisscrossly over the body. Collaterals can be further divided into subcollaterals which called minute collaterals. The shallow collaterals are called superficial collaterals which distribute all over the body.

1.1 Composition of meridian system the twelve regular meridians the twelve meridian branches the twelve meridian tendons The twelve skin areas The eight extraordinary vessels (please see your book) The fifteen collaterals

1.1.2 Distribution of meridian system The twelve meridiansThe twelve meridians Distribution on the surface of the bodyDistribution on the surface of the body Association of the twelve meridians with the visceraAssociation of the twelve meridians with the viscera Running direction, circulation and convergent principle of the twelve meridiansRunning direction circulation convergent principle of the twelve meridians Extetnal and internal relationExtetnal and internal relation

The definition of the twelve meridians : the main part of the meridian system also known as “ the twelve regular meridians ” including three yin and three yang meridians of the hand, three yin and three yang meridians of the foot.

The distribution rules of the The twelve meridians : (1) symmetry (2) four limbs: The yin meridians ________ inner side the yang meridians ________ lateral side The taiyin and yangming meridians (yin and yang) ________the anterior side The shaoyin snd taiyang _______the posterior side the jueyin and shaoyang ____the middle side The jueyin meridian of the foot has two kinds cases :one is anterior to the taiyin meridian of the foot (8 cun down to the medial malleolus ),the other is between the taiyin and shaoyin meridians. (8 cun above the medial malleolus)

The rule of the the association of the twelve meridians with the viscera : "pertaining and connection". Yin meridians pertain to the zang organs and connect with the fu organs yang meridians pertain to the fu organs and connect with the zang organs.

Running direction: The three yin meridians of the hand run from the chest to the hand; the three yang meridians run from the hand to the head; the three yang meridians of the foot run from the head to the foot; the three yin meridians run from the foot to the abdomen."

Circulation: The twelve meridians form a cycle of qi and blood circulatory system. The circulatory order: lung__large intestine __stomach ___spleen___heart ___small intestine ___urinary bladder ____kidney ____pericardium ___sanjiao _____gallbladder ____liver ____lung.

Convergent principle : the yin and yang meridians in external and internal relationship converge over the end of the four limbs ; the yang meridians (with the same name )converge over the head and face ; the yin meridians and yang meridians (in a cycle-like connection) converge over the chest.

External and internal relation an important interrelation among the twelve meridians similar to that of the relation between zang organs and fu organs, refers to the correspondence of the three yin and three yang meridians.

The meridian branches of the twelve meridians 1. Definition : stem from the twelve meridians run deep into the trunk, associate with the viscera and join the meridians in external and internal relation. 2. Distribution characteristics :"stemming, entering, outthrusting(leaving) and combination''. "Stemming" stem from the areas below the knees and elbows, "entering" enter the body and usually associate with the viscera in external and internal relation, the branches of the three yang meridians of the foot also associate with the heart; "outthrusting "come out to run in the superficial areas over the head and neck; "combination" the branches of the yin meridians combine with the yang meridians that they are in internal and external relation with, while the branches of the yang meridians with the meridians that they stem from.

1. The definition : (1)the areas where qi from the twelve meridians accumulates (2)the regions where the twelve meridians are connected with the musculature and joints. 2. The distribution rule : The same like the projection of the meridians that they are connected with on the body surface, especially on the four limbs. 3. Function : nourish and govern the musculature and joints to maintain the normal activities of the body and strengthen the relation of the twelve meridians with the three yin and three yang meridians on the same side The tendons of the twelve meridians

The twelve skin areas the definition : the regions where the twelve meridians distribute on the skin, the regions where the meridian qi effuse over the skin the regions of the functional activities of the twelve meridians reflected on

The eight extraordinary meridians 1. Definition of the eight extraordinary meridians1. Definition of the eight extraordinary meridians 2. Difference between the twelve meridians and eight extraordinary meridians

collective term the governor vessel(Du meridian) conception vessel(Ren meridian) thoroughfare vessel(Chong meridian) belt vessel(Dai meridian) yin link vessel(Yin wei meridian) yang link vessel(Yang wei meridian) yin heel vessel(Yinqiao meridian) and yang heel vessel(Yang qiao meridian).

Difference : 1.No external and internal relation. 2. in close relation with the extraordinary fu organs. 3. No their own distributing routes and just run around among the twelve meridians except the governor and conception vessels. 4.No their own specific acupoints except the governor and conception vessels. 5. they do not transport qi and blood like that of the twelve meridians, just accumulate and regulate qi and blood in the twelve regular meridians.