（一）The Concept of the Eight Extraordinary MeridiansThe Eight Extraordinary Meridians refer to the eight meridians outside of the twelve primary meridians, including Ren Mai (Ren Meridian), Du Mai (Governing Meridian), Chong Mai (Penetrating Meridian), Dai Mai (Belt Meridian), Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Heel Meridian), Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Heel Meridian), Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Meridian), and Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Meridian). The term “extraordinary” (奇) indicates their distinct nature. Unlike the twelve primary meridians, they do not directly connect to the organs and do not have a paired relationship. Their physiological function mainly involves the storage and regulation of Qi and blood flow in the twelve primary meridians.（二）Physiological Characteristics of the Eight Extraordinary MeridiansThe physiological characteristics of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians are threefold:① The Eight Extraordinary Meridians have no direct connection to the organs.② There is no paired relationship among the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.
③ The distribution of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians is not as widespread as that of the twelve primary meridians; there are no distributions of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians in the upper limbs.
Their pathways also differ from those of the twelve primary meridians; except for the Dai Mai, the others generally ascend from the lower body to the upper body.The common physiological functions of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians are:1. To further strengthen the connections between the twelve primary meridians: for example, the Du Mai governs all Yang meridians; the Ren Mai connects all Yin meridians; the Dai Mai restrains the longitudinal flow of all meridians. The Yin Qiao and Yang Qiao meridians govern the Yin and Yang of the body, respectively; the Yin Wei and Yang Wei meridians link the Yin and Yang of the exterior and interior of the body. Thus, the Eight Extraordinary Meridians enhance the connections among various parts of the body.2. To regulate the Qi and blood of the twelve primary meridians: when the Qi of the twelve primary meridians is excessive, it is stored in the Eight Extraordinary Meridians; when the Qi and blood of the twelve primary meridians are insufficient, the Eight Extraordinary Meridians “overflow” to provide timely supplementation.3. The Eight Extraordinary Meridians have a close relationship with the liver, kidneys, and other organs, as well as with the extraordinary organs such as the uterus, brain, and marrow, having certain connections in both physiological and pathological contexts.Song of the Pathways of the Twelve Meridians1. Hand Taiyin Lung MeridianThe Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian begins in the middle jiao, descends to connect with the large intestine and stomach, then travels to the wrist at the radial side of the thumb, and runs along the inner side of the thumb to the root of the nail.It connects with the lung and emerges from the axilla, traversing the chest and descending to the elbow along the arm bone.2. Hand Yangming Large Intestine MeridianThe Hand Yangming Meridian belongs to the large intestine, starting at the inner side of the index finger at Shangyang, running along the finger to Hegu, between the two bones and tendons, and continuing up the arm to the elbow on the outer side, reaching the shoulder and neck, and connecting with the lung.3. Foot Yangming Stomach MeridianThe Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian begins at the nose and neck, intersects with the Foot Taiyang, descends to the middle of the abdomen, and continues down to the hip joint.It runs along the outer side of the nose to the upper teeth, encircles the mouth and lips, and travels down the knee to the outer side of the leg, reaching the foot.4. Foot Taiyin Spleen MeridianThe Taiyin Spleen Meridian begins at the big toe, running along the inner side of the toe, entering the abdomen, connecting with the spleen and stomach, and passing through the inner ankle.5. Hand Shaoyin Heart MeridianThe Hand Shaoyin Meridian begins at the heart, descends to connect with the small intestine, and emerges from the axilla, traversing the back of the arm.6. Hand Taiyang Small Intestine MeridianThe Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian starts at the tip of the little finger, descends to the stomach, and connects with the small intestine, emerging from the wrist and running along the arm to the elbow.7. Foot Taiyang Bladder MeridianThe Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian begins at the inner canthus of the eye, running up to the vertex, connecting with the kidneys, and traversing the buttocks.8. Foot Shaoyin Kidney MeridianThe Foot Kidney Meridian belongs to Shaoyin, starting from the little toe and running to the sole of the foot, connecting with the kidneys and traversing the spine.9. Hand Jueyin Pericardium MeridianThe Hand Jueyin Meridian governs the heart, descending to connect with the Sanjiao, running between the Taiyin and Shaoyin, and emerging from the chest.10. Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao MeridianThe Hand Shaoyang Meridian begins at the tip of the little finger, running along the Sanjiao, and connecting with the ear.11. Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder MeridianThe Foot Shaoyang Meridian begins at the outer canthus of the eye, running down to the chest and connecting with the gallbladder.12. Foot Jueyin Liver MeridianThe Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian begins at the big toe, running to the eye, and connecting with the liver.
Previous HighlightsClick the titles below to view detailed content!★ 《中医基础理论》1、Overview★《中医基础理论》2、Formation and Development of TCM Theoretical System★《中医基础理论》3、Components of TCM Theoretical System★《中医基础理论》4、Philosophical Foundations of TCM★《中医基础理论》5、Theory of Qi★《中医基础理论》6、Yin-Yang Theory★《中医基础理论》7、Theory of Five Elements★《中医基础理论》8、Relationship between Qi, Yin-Yang, and Five Elements★《中医基础理论》9、Organ Representation★《中医基础理论》10、Heart (with: Pericardium)★《中医基础理论》11、Lung★《中医基础理论》12、Spleen★《中医基础理论》13、Liver★《中医基础理论》14、Kidney (with: Mingmen)★《中医基础理论》15、Six Fu Organs★《中医基础理论》16、Gallbladder★《中医基础理论》17、Stomach★《中医基础理论》18、Small Intestine★《中医基础理论》19、Large Intestine★《中医基础理论》20、Bladder★《中医基础理论》21、Sanjiao★《中医基础理论》22、Extraordinary Organs★《中医基础理论》23、Brain★《中医基础理论》24、Marrow★《中医基础理论》25、Uterus (with: Jing Room)★《中医基础理论》26、Body and Orifices★《中医基础理论》27、Body★《中医基础理论》28、Orifices★《中医基础理论》29、External Manifestations of the Five Organs★《中医基础理论》30、Relationship between Organs★《中医基础理论》31、Relationship between Organs and Fu★《中医基础理论》32、Relationship between Organs★《中医基础理论》33、Relationship between Fu★《中医基础理论》34、Relationship between Zang and Fu★《中医基础理论》35、Life Activities and Regulation of the Five Organs★《中医基础理论》36、Mental Activities★《中医基础理论》37、Blood Circulation and Regulation of the Five Organs★《中医基础理论》38、Respiratory Movements and Regulation of the Five Organs★《中医基础理论》39: Water and Fluid Metabolism and Regulation of the Five Organs★《中医基础理论》40: Growth, Reproduction, and Regulation of the Five Organs★《中医基础理论》41: Essence, Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids★《中医基础理论》42: Essence★《中医基础理论》43: Qi★《中医基础理论》44: Blood★《中医基础理论》45: Body Fluids★《中医基础理论》46: Relationship between Qi, Blood, Essence, and Body Fluids★《中医基础理论》47: Meridians, Concept of Meridians, and Meridian System★《中医基础理论》48: Names of the Twelve Meridians★《中医基础理论》49: Pathways and Interconnections of the Twelve Meridians★《中医基础理论》50: Distribution and Interior-Exterior Relationships of the Twelve Meridians★《中医基础理论》51: Flow Sequence of the Twelve Meridians★《中医基础理论》52: Pathways of the Twelve Meridians
