The fifteen collaterals are named after the acupoints from which they originate. The twelve collaterals of the limbs strengthen the connection between the interior and exterior meridians, facilitating the flow of qi between them and compensating for the deficiencies in the pathways of the twelve meridians. The collaterals of the Ren (Ren Mai) and Du (Du Mai) meridians, along with the Great Collateral of the Spleen, connect the abdominal, back, and overall qi of the body.The twelve meridians, along with the collaterals of the Ren and Du meridians, and the Great Collateral of the Spleen, total fifteen, known as the fifteen collaterals, each named after the acupoints from which they originate. The twelve collaterals of the limbs enhance the connection between the interior and exterior meridians, facilitating the flow of qi between them and compensating for the deficiencies in the pathways of the twelve meridians. The collaterals of the Ren, Du, and the Great Collateral of the Spleen connect the abdominal, back, and overall qi of the body.1. Table of the Pathways and Acupoints of the Fifteen Collaterals
| Table of the Fifteen Collaterals | ||||
| Upper Limbs | Interior | Hand Taiyin: Lieque (LU7) | Hand Shaoyin: Tongli (HT5) | Hand Jueyin: Neiguan (PC6) |
| Exterior | Hand Yangming: Pianli (LI6) | Hand Taiyang: Zhizheng (SI5) | Hand Shaoyang: Waiguan (SJ5) | |
| Lower Limbs | Interior | Foot Taiyin: Gongsun (SP4) | Foot Shaoyin: Dazhong (KD6) | Foot Jueyin: Ligou (LR5) |
| Exterior | Foot Yangming: Fenglong (ST40) | Foot Taiyang: Feiyang (BL58) | Foot Shaoyang: Guangming (GB37) | |
| Trunk | Ren Meridian Collateral: Weiyang (CV6) | Du Meridian Collateral: Changqiang (GV1) | Great Collateral of the Spleen: Dabao (SP21) |
2. Song of the Fifteen CollateralsThe collaterals of the human body total fifteen, I will now count them one by one,Hand Taiyin collateral is Lieque, Hand Shaoyin collateral is Tongli,Hand Jueyin collateral is Neiguan, Hand Taiyang collateral is Zhizheng,Hand Yangming collateral is Pianli, Hand Shaoyang collateral is Waiguan,Foot Taiyang collateral is Feiyang, Foot Yangming collateral is Fenglong,Foot Shaoyang collateral is Guangming, Foot Taiyin collateral is Gongsun,Foot Shaoyin collateral is Dazhong, Foot Jueyin collateral is Ligou,Yang Du collateral is Changqiang, Yin Ren collateral is Weiyang,Great collateral of the Spleen is Dabao, remember the names of the fifteen collaterals.3. The Fifteen Collaterals1. The Collateral of Hand TaiyinIs called Lieque, originating from the Lieque acupoint, it branches from the Hand Taiyin meridian, starting at the upper part of the wrist at the Lieque acupoint, running alongside the Hand Taiyin meridian, spreading to the edge of the thenar (the ball of the thumb), and running towards the Hand Yangming meridian one and a half inches from the wrist (i.e., at Lieque). This collateral has two patterns of disease: the excess pattern is characterized by heat in the palm; the deficiency pattern is characterized by yawning, shortness of breath, or frequent urination and enuresis. The Lieque acupoint should be used for treatment.
2. The Collateral of Hand YangmingBranches from the Pianli acupoint, running three inches from the wrist towards the Hand Taiyin meridian; its branch runs upwards along the arm, passing through the shoulder, ascending to the angle of the jaw, spreading to the teeth, with a branch entering the ear and connecting with the Zong meridian.
3. The Collateral of Foot YangmingBranches from the Fenglong acupoint, located eight inches above the external ankle, running towards the Foot Taiyin meridian; its branch runs along the outer edge of the tibia, connecting upwards to the head and neck, and downwards to the throat.
4. The Collateral of Foot TaiyinBranches from the Gongsun acupoint, located one inch behind the first toe metatarsophalangeal joint, running towards the Foot Yangming meridian; its branch enters the abdominal cavity, connecting with the intestines and stomach.
5. The Collateral of Hand ShaoyinBranches from the Tongli acupoint, located one inch behind the wrist, running towards the Hand Taiyang meridian; its branch separates one and a half inches behind the wrist, ascending along the meridian into the heart, connecting upwards to the root of the tongue and linking to the eyes.
6. The Collateral of Hand TaiyangBranches from the Zhizheng acupoint, located five inches behind the wrist, injecting into the Hand Shaoyin meridian; its branch ascends through the elbow, networking at the shoulder.
7. The Collateral of Foot TaiyangBranches from the Feiyang acupoint, located seven inches above the external ankle, running towards the Foot Shaoyin meridian.
8. The Collateral of Foot ShaoyinBranches from the Dazhong acupoint, wrapping around the heel at five inches above the internal ankle, running towards the Foot Taiyang meridian; its branch runs alongside the meridian upwards, reaching below the pericardium, and externally connecting to the lumbar spine.
9. The Collateral of Hand JueyinBranches from the Neiguan acupoint, located two inches behind the wrist, emerging shallowly between the two tendons, ascending along the meridian, connecting to the pericardium and linking to the heart.
10. The Collateral of Hand ShaoyangBranches from the Waiguan acupoint, located two inches behind the wrist, circling around the outer side of the arm, entering the chest, and connecting with the Hand Jueyin meridian.
11. The Collateral of Foot ShaoyangBranches from the Guangming acupoint, located five inches above the internal ankle, running towards the Foot Jueyin meridian, connecting downwards to the dorsum of the foot.
12. The Collateral of Foot JueyinBranches from the Ligou acupoint, located five inches above the internal ankle, running towards the Foot Shaoyang meridian; its branch ascends through the tibia, reaching the testicular area, converging at the penis.
13. The Collateral of Ren MeridianBranches from the Weiyang (Jiuwei) acupoint, descending from the xiphoid process, spreading throughout the abdomen.
14. The Collateral of Du MeridianBranches from the Changqiang acupoint, ascending alongside the spine to the nape, spreading over the head; the descending collateral starts from the shoulder blade, branching off to the Foot Taiyang meridian, entering the muscles alongside the spine.
15. The Great Collateral of the SpleenBranches from the Dabao acupoint, emerging three inches below the Yuanye acupoint, spreading throughout the chest and lateral sides.
