Subscribe to Topics Featured Articles
Distribution Patterns of the Twelve MeridiansAbstract: Everything in nature has its own laws. The distribution of the twelve meridians in the human body is no exception; it has its own rules. If we can grasp these rules, it will not only make it easier to memorize the distribution of the twelve meridians but also facilitate the identification of their locations on meridian maps and models. Therefore, understanding the distribution patterns of the twelve meridians throughout the body is very necessary and clinically valuable.Everything in nature has its own laws. The distribution of the twelve meridians in the human body is no exception; it has its own rules. If we can grasp these rules, it will not only make it easier to memorize the distribution of the twelve meridians but also facilitate the identification of their locations on meridian maps and models. Therefore, understanding the distribution patterns of the twelve meridians throughout the body is very necessary and clinically valuable. The author will discuss the distribution of the twelve meridians for the reference and correction of peers.
01
Distribution Patterns of the Twelve Meridians in the Head and Face
The meridians in the head and face appear intertwined and difficult to distinguish, and they are indeed not easy to identify on meridian maps and models. However, upon careful analysis, only the three Yang meridians of the hands and feet reach the head and face, while the three Yin meridians of the hands originate from the chest and the three Yin meridians of the feet run from the feet to the abdomen and chest, not reaching the head and face (referring to the meridians with acupoints on the body surface). Therefore, the distribution pattern of the three Yang meridians of the hands and feet in the head and face can be understood from their meridian pathways: the Hand Yangming Meridian intersects with the Governing Vessel at the philtrum, and the Foot Yangming Meridian intersects with the Conception Vessel at the area below the lips, both located in the “anterior” part of the face; the Hand Shaoyang Meridian encircles the inner rim of the ear, while the Foot Shaoyang Meridian encircles the outer rim of the ear, both winding and running along the “lateral” part of the face; the Foot Taiyang Meridian runs along the “posterior” part of the head, while the Hand Taiyang Meridian has no discernible pattern. In summary, the distribution pattern of the three Yang meridians of the hands and feet in the head and face is: Yangming Meridian in the “front”, Shaoyang Meridian in the “side”, and Taiyang Meridian in the “back”.
Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian
Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian
Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian
02
Distribution Patterns of the Twelve Meridians in the Neck
The meridians in the neck, like those in the head and face, also consist of only six meridians, which are the three Yang meridians of the hands and feet.From the midline of the neck (Conception Vessel) towards the back, the first line is the Foot Yangming Meridian, the third line is the Foot Shaoyang Meridian, and the sixth line is the Foot Taiyang Meridian. The order of these three foot Yang meridians in the neck is: Foot Yangming Meridian in the “front”, Foot Shaoyang Meridian in the “middle”, and Foot Taiyang Meridian in the “back”. The second line is the Hand Yangming Meridian, the fourth line is the Hand Shaoyang Meridian, and the fifth line is the Hand Taiyang Meridian. The order of these three hand Yang meridians in the neck is: Hand Yangming Meridian in the “front”, Hand Shaoyang Meridian in the “middle”, and Hand Taiyang Meridian in the “back”. Thus, the distribution pattern of the six Yang meridians of the hands and feet in the neck is: Yangming Meridian in the “front”, Shaoyang Meridian in the “middle”, and Taiyang Meridian in the “back”.
Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian
Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian
Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian
03
Distribution Patterns of the Twelve Meridians in the Limbs
The distribution of the three Yang meridians in the upper limbs is as follows: the Hand Yangming Meridian starts at the tip of the index finger and runs along the outer front edge of the upper limb to the shoulder. The Hand Taiyang Meridian starts at the outer tip of the little finger and runs along the outer back edge of the upper limb to the shoulder. The Hand Shaoyang Meridian starts at the outer tip of the ring finger and runs between the Hand Yangming and Hand Taiyang Meridians to the shoulder. From the distribution of the three Yang meridians of the hands in the outer side of the upper limb, it can be seen that the Hand Yangming Meridian is in the “front”, the Hand Shaoyang Meridian is in the “middle”, and the Hand Taiyang Meridian is in the “back”.The distribution of the three Yang meridians in the lower limbs is as follows: the Foot Yangming Meridian runs down the outer front edge of the lower limb to the outer tip of the second toe. The Foot Shaoyang Meridian runs down the outer middle of the lower limb to the outer tip of the fourth toe. The Foot Taiyang Meridian runs down the back of the lower limb to the outer tip of the little toe. From the distribution of the three Yang meridians of the feet in the outer side of the lower limb, it can be seen that the Foot Yangming Meridian is in the “front”, the Foot Shaoyang Meridian is in the “middle” (side), and the Foot Taiyang Meridian is in the “back”.The distribution of the three Yin meridians in the upper limbs is as follows: the Hand Taiyin Meridian runs along the inner front edge of the upper limb, entering at the inner tip of the thumb. The Hand Jueyin Meridian runs along the inner middle of the upper limb, entering at the tip of the middle finger.The Hand Shaoyin Meridian runs along the inner back edge of the upper limb, entering at the inner tip of the little finger. From the distribution of the three Yin meridians of the hands in the inner side of the upper limb, it can be seen that the Hand Taiyin Meridian is in the “front”, the Hand Jueyin Meridian is in the “middle”, and the Hand Shaoyin Meridian is in the “back”.The distribution of the three Yin meridians in the lower limbs is as follows: the Foot Taiyin Meridian starts at the inner tip of the big toe and runs along the inner front edge of the lower limb into the abdomen. The Foot Jueyin Meridian starts at the upper part of the big toe and runs along the inner middle of the lower limb to the lower abdomen. The Foot Shaoyin Meridian starts at the lower part of the little toe, running diagonally across the sole of the foot, along the inner back edge of the lower limb, reaching the spine. From the distribution of the three Yin meridians of the feet in the inner side of the lower limb, it can be seen that the Foot Taiyin Meridian is in the “front”, the Foot Jueyin Meridian is in the “middle”, and the Foot Shaoyin Meridian is in the “back”.Thus, the distribution pattern of the twelve meridians in the limbs is:Hand and Foot Yangming Meridians, Hand and Foot Taiyin Meridians in the “front”; Hand and Foot Shaoyang Meridians, Hand and Foot Jueyin Meridians in the “middle” (side); Hand and Foot Taiyang Meridians, Hand and Foot Shaoyin Meridians in the “back”.
Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian
Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian
Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian
Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian
Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian
Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian
04
Distribution Patterns of the Twelve Meridians in the Trunk
The meridians distributed in the trunk are relatively numerous, with both origins and terminations. The three Yang meridians of the feet run from the head and face to the feet, passing through the chest, abdomen, and back. The three Yin meridians of the feet run from the feet to the abdomen and chest. The three Yin meridians of the hands originate from the chest and run towards the hands. However, the three Yin meridians of the hands have only a very short surface meridian line in the chest. The three Yang meridians of the hands run from the hands to the head and face without passing through the trunk. Therefore, the meridians in the trunk are mainly the three Yang meridians and three Yin meridians of the feet, totaling six meridians.From the midline of the chest and abdomen (Conception Vessel) towards the sides and back of the body, the order of the meridian lines is as follows: the first meridian line is the Foot Shaoyin Meridian, located 5 cun to the side of the midline of the abdomen and 2 cun to the side of the midline of the chest.The second meridian line is the Foot Yangming Meridian, located 2 cun to the side of the midline of the abdomen and 4 cun to the side of the midline of the chest. The third meridian line is the Foot Taiyin Meridian, located 4 cun to the side of the midline of the abdomen and 6 cun to the side of the midline of the chest. On the lateral side of the abdomen and chest, two curved meridian lines can be seen, which are the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian and the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. The liver is a Yin organ, and the gallbladder is a Yang organ. According to the theory of Yin and Yang, the outside is Yang, and the inside is Yin, thus the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian runs on the outer side of the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. The Foot Taiyang Meridian runs along the back. If we look solely at the distribution of the three Yang meridians of the feet in the trunk, the Foot Yangming Meridian is in the “front”, the Foot Shaoyang Meridian is on the outer side of the Foot Yangming Meridian, corresponding to the “side” of the abdomen and chest, and the Foot Taiyang Meridian is in the back, i.e., the “posterior”. This aligns with the distribution pattern of the Yangming Meridian in the “front”, Shaoyang Meridian in the “middle” (side), and Taiyang Meridian in the “back”. The distribution of the three Yin meridians in the trunk can be viewed as the Foot Shaoyin Meridian being on the “inner side”, while the Foot Taiyin Meridian is on the outer side, and the Foot Jueyin Meridian is in the “middle”. It can also be considered that the Foot Taiyin Meridian, Foot Jueyin Meridian, and Foot Shaoyin Meridian have their meridian pathways extending from the feet to the abdomen and chest as “front”, “middle”, and “back” continuations.
05
Conclusion
In summary, regardless of whether in the head and face, neck, limbs, or trunk, the distribution patterns of the twelve meridians are: Hand and Foot Yangming Meridians, Hand and Foot Taiyin Meridians in the “front”; Hand and Foot Shaoyang Meridians, Hand and Foot Jueyin Meridians in the “middle” (side); Hand and Foot Taiyang Meridians, Hand and Foot Shaoyin Meridians in the “back”.Further Reading
-
Comprehensive Atlas of Human Meridian Acupoints (Ultra High Definition Images), for collection and reading
-
Basic Skills of Acupuncture: Reciting Songs (Text + Audio)
-
Geng Enguang: Explanation of the 74 Most Important Acupoints in the Body (with Images)
Recommended Columns
▶ Note: This article is organized by Peiyi Education (www.tcmedu.com) Volume 6, Authors: Peng Lian, Wang Zetao, Liu Meiping, Lu Di. The various prescriptions and formulas mentioned are for reference only for learning and should not be used as prescriptions. Please do not use them blindly; this platform does not bear any responsibility for any consequences arising from this!
Join the WeChat Pure Group, no spam, learn together every day(Valid for 7 days, please check the latest articles if expired)
