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What are Meridians
Meridians are composed of primary meridians (经脉, jingmai) and collaterals (络脉, luomai), forming a network system that circulates throughout the body. They are distributed in every corner of the human body, playing a crucial role in transporting nutrients and regulating the functions of various parts of the body, which is vital for maintaining health. There are twelve primary meridians in the human body, each with a specific pathway and connection sequence, creating a continuous circulation system. Collaterals branch off from the primary meridians and further subdivide like tree branches, forming a network structure that permeates the entire body without a specific pathway. Diseases of the internal organs can be reflected through the meridians, and medicinal treatments utilize the meridians as channels, allowing the medication to reach the site of illness through the conduits of the meridians.
Differences Between Meridians and Collaterals
Primary meridians are thicker and serve as the main channels for the flow of qi (气, qi) and blood (血, xue), while collaterals are finer branches of the primary meridians. After branching off from the primary meridians, collaterals further subdivide into smaller branches, ultimately forming a three-dimensional network that delivers the qi and blood nutrients from the primary meridians to every corner of the body. If we compare primary meridians to the Yangtze River and the Yellow River, collaterals would be the tributaries branching off from these rivers, gradually splitting into smaller ditches that irrigate and nourish every inch of land. The hierarchical subdivision of collaterals creates its network structure, and their distribution in the body’s organs and skin muscles defines their spatial location. The operation of collaterals in transporting qi and blood and delivering nutrients follows certain time and speed patterns, adhering to specific rules. The main physiological functions of collaterals are to transmit information, resist pathogenic factors, circulate qi and blood, and nourish the entire body.
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