Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian
The Yangming meridian of the hand is the Large Intestine Meridian①, starting from the inner side of the index finger at Shangyang②.
It follows the upper edge of the finger to exit at Hegu, along the two tendons at the bifurcation of the bones along the fatty area of the arm③.
It enters the outer side of the elbow and follows the outer aspect of the arm, reaching the front edge of the shoulder near the spine④.
From the shoulder, it descends into the chest cavity, connecting with the lungs and descending through the diaphragm to belong to the Large Intestine⑤.
The branch from the chest cavity goes straight up to the neck, diagonally penetrating the cheek and reaching the lower teeth⑥.
It circles out from the philtrum to connect left and right, ascending to the nostrils and reaching Yingxiang⑦.
This meridian has abundant qi and blood, which can cause swelling and tooth pain⑧.
Conditions arising from this meridian include nasal congestion and bleeding⑨, yellowing of the eyes, dry mouth, and throat obstruction⑩.
Pain in the thumb and index finger makes it difficult to use⑾, and there is persistent pain in the front of the shoulder and outer arm⑫.
When there is excess qi, the pulse is hot and swollen⑬; when deficient, there is cold shivering and the condition worsens⑭.
Notes
① The Yangming meridian of the hand is the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian.
② Starting from the inner side of the index finger at Shangyang: it begins at the Shangyang point located at the inner side of the tip of the index finger. The index finger is referred to as the second finger.
③ Following the upper edge of the finger to exit at Hegu, along the two tendons at the bifurcation of the bones: it travels along the upper edge of the index finger, passing through the space between the first and second metacarpal bones where Hegu is located, and ascends through the thick fatty area of the forearm. Hegu is the name of the acupoint. The bifurcation refers to the area where the two bones intersect, commonly known as the “Tiger’s Mouth”. This is the location of the Hegu point. The term “fáng” refers to thick fat. It follows the thick fatty area of the forearm.
④ Entering the outer side of the elbow and following the outer aspect of the arm, reaching the front edge of the shoulder near the spine: it reaches the outer side of the elbow, then ascends along the outer front edge of the arm to the shoulder, exiting at the front edge of the shoulder peak, where it meets the Yang meridians at the Dazhui point. The spine is referred to as the Tianzhu bone. In the “Meijing Tuyu”, the names of the bones of the body are listed: “The upper part of the shoulder bone is the root of the neck bone.” It is now referred to as the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra.
⑤ Connecting with the lungs and descending through the diaphragm to belong to the Large Intestine: it connects with the lungs and passes down through the diaphragm to belong to the Large Intestine organ.
⑥ The branch from the chest cavity goes straight up to the neck, diagonally penetrating the cheek and reaching the lower teeth: its branch goes from the chest cavity up to the neck, penetrating the cheek and reaching the roots of the lower teeth. The term “dang” refers to a location or area. The branch refers to the collateral.
⑦ Circling out from the philtrum to connect left and right, ascending to the nostrils and reaching Yingxiang: it circles back to the upper lip, crossing at the philtrum, with the left meridian going to the right and the right meridian going to the left, then ascends to the sides of the nostrils at the Yingxiang point, connecting with the Foot Yangming Meridian. “Huan” means to circle. “Jiao left and right” refers to the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian crossing left and right at the philtrum. “Zhu” means to flow into. “Jia” (夹) means to pass through from both sides. In the “Suwen: On Pain”, it states: “Cold qi resides in the meridian of the Jia spine, thus deep pressing cannot reach it.” Zhang Jingyue notes: “The Jia spine refers to the Foot Taiyang Meridian.” Note that when “Jia” is used in this context, it should not be pronounced as “xiá”.
⑧ Conditions arising from this meridian include swelling and tooth pain: the diseases caused by this meridian due to external pathogens include swelling in the neck and tooth pain. “Zhuó” refers to the bone at the lower edge of the eye socket, including the zygomatic bone and the upper jaw. In the “Suwen: On the True Essentials”, it states: “When the eyes are closed, there is tooth pain and swelling.” Zhang Jingyue notes: “The area below the eyes is called Zhuó.”
⑨ Conditions arising from this meridian include nasal congestion and bleeding: the symptoms arising from the disease of this organ include yellowing of the eyes, nasal discharge, or bleeding. “Qiú” refers to nasal congestion. In the “Suwen: On the Changes of Qi”, it states: “Coughing leads to nasal congestion.” “Qingti” refers to clear nasal discharge, as noted by Wang Bing in the “Suwen: On the True Essentials”: “It refers to water flowing from the nose.” “Nü” refers to nasal bleeding, as noted in the “Suwen: On the True Essentials”: “In spring, the disease of nasal bleeding is prevalent.” Note that “Nü” should not be pronounced as “niǔ”.
⑩ Throat obstruction: obstruction in the throat, causing blockage and difficulty in breathing. “Bi” refers to qi stagnation. In the “Suwen: On the Essentials of Pulse”, it states: “When there is a disease, food causes obstruction.” Wang Bing notes: “Thus, eating causes pain and stagnation of qi.”
(11) Pain in the thumb and index finger makes it difficult to use: pain in the index finger leads to loss of function. The thumb and index finger refer to the side of the index finger near the tip.
⑫ There is persistent pain in the front of the shoulder and outer arm: there is frequent pain in the front of the shoulder and the outer side of the arm. “Xiang reng” means frequent and repetitive. In the “Book of Han: Annals of Emperor Wu”, it states: “Now the General has repeatedly captured them.”
⑬ When there is excess qi, the pulse is hot and swollen: this is a condition of excess qi in this meridian, where there is heat and swelling in the areas along the meridian. “Xi” is an interjection often used in poetry, similar to modern Chinese expressions like “ah” or “oh” without actual meaning.
⑭ When deficient, there is cold shivering and the condition worsens: this is a condition of deficiency in this meridian, leading to cold shivering and difficulty in warming up, with the condition worsening. “Lì” refers to shivering or trembling. In the “Lingshu: On the Mouth”, it states: “When yin qi is abundant and yang qi is deficient, it leads to cold shivering.” In the “Treatise on Cold Damage, Section 89”, it states: “In cases of blood loss, sweating is not allowed; if sweating occurs, it leads to cold shivering.” (Blood loss refers to loss of blood) “Pian zeng” means the condition worsens.