Understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine (75): The Collaterals
1. Basic Concept of Collaterals
The “Nan Jing (Classic of Difficulties) – Difficulty 23” states: “There are fifteen collaterals, all originating from their source, like a ring without end, mutually irrigating, morning at the wrist (cun kou) and renying, determining life and death for all diseases.”
The collaterals are branches that diverge from the meridians, mostly distributed on the body surface. There are fifteen collaterals, one for each of the twelve meridians, plus the collaterals of the Ren (Conception) and Du (Governing) meridians, and the major collateral of the Spleen. Additionally, if we include the major collateral of the Stomach, it can be referred to as the sixteen collaterals.
2. Characteristics of Collaterals
The collaterals are a major part of the collateral system and serve as the main trunk, playing a leading role for the numerous small collaterals throughout the body. The small collaterals that branch from the collaterals are called “sun collaterals,” as mentioned in the “Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot) – Pulse Measurement,” where it states that “the branches of the collaterals are called sun.” The collaterals distributed on the skin surface are referred to as “floating collaterals,” as mentioned in the “Ling Shu – Meridians,” which states “the collaterals that float and are commonly seen.” After the collaterals diverge from the larger collaterals, the pulse qi gradually becomes finer, establishing close connections with the various tissues of the trunk.
The collaterals are mostly oblique branches, and their distribution has specific locations:
In the limbs: The collaterals of the Yin meridians run in the direction corresponding to their Yang counterparts, facilitating communication between the two meridians, and there are pathways to supplement the deficiencies in the meridian flow.
In the trunk: There are three collaterals distributed in the front, back, and sides of the body, namely, the collaterals of the Ren meridian scattered in the abdomen; the collaterals of the Du meridian running along the back, spreading to the head and diverging to the Foot Taiyang meridian; and the major collateral of the Spleen distributed in the chest and lateral areas. This strengthens the unified connection of the front, back, and sides of the human body.
3. Physiological Functions of Collaterals
1. Strengthening the connection between the two meridians that correspond to each other among the twelve meridians: This is mainly achieved through the pathways of the Yin collateral leading to the Yang meridian and the Yang collateral leading to the Yin meridian, thereby communicating and strengthening the connection between the two corresponding meridians in the limbs. Although the collaterals also enter the thoracic and abdominal cavities and connect with the internal organs, they do not have fixed collateral relationships. The collaterals primarily focus on communicating the Yang and Yin meridians distributed on the body surface.
2. Governing the collaterals throughout the body: The “collateral points” of the twelve meridians are the gathering points and hubs for the qi of the collateral meridians. For example, the collateral of the Ren meridian scattered in the abdomen governs the various Yin meridians in that area; although the collateral of the Du meridian originates from the Changqiang point, its qi disperses to the head, governing the Yang meridians in the back of the head; the major collateral of the Spleen scattered in the chest and lateral areas plays an important role in promoting the movement of qi in the entire meridian system. This not only strengthens the unified connection of the front, back, and sides of the body but also enhances the connection of the collaterals throughout the body.
3. Nourishing the entire body by permeating qi and blood: The sun collaterals and floating collaterals that branch from the collaterals are distributed throughout the body in a net-like pattern, with extensive contact surfaces with the surrounding tissues. This allows the qi and blood circulating in the meridians to expand from a linear flow to a surface diffusion through the collaterals and sun collaterals, thereby fully exerting their nourishing effects on the entire organism.
4. Pathways of Collaterals
The pathways of the fifteen collaterals have specific locations, with the collaterals of the twelve meridians diverging from below the elbows and knees in the limbs, interconnecting the corresponding meridians; the collaterals of the Ren meridian are distributed in the abdomen, the collaterals of the Du meridian are distributed in the back, and the major collateral of the Spleen is distributed on the sides of the body. The specific pathways are as follows:
1 Hand Taiyang Collateral
The Hand Taiyang collateral, originally called the collateral of Hand Taiyang, is also known as Zhizheng. It is mentioned in the “Huangdi Neijing Ling Shu – Meridians.” It branches from the Zhizheng point, located 5 cun posterior to the wrist joint, and enters the Hand Shaoyin meridian; its branch ascends through the elbow collateral to the shoulder. Its conditions: excess syndrome shows joint relaxation, elbow weakness; deficiency syndrome shows skin growth of small warts. The Hand Taiyang collateral point Zhizheng can be used for treatment.
2 Hand Taiyin Collateral
The Hand Taiyin collateral, originally called the collateral of Hand Taiyin, is also known as Lieque. It is mentioned in the “Huangdi Neijing Ling Shu – Meridians.” It originates from the intermuscular space above the radial styloid process, 1.5 cun posterior to the wrist joint. One branch runs towards the Hand Yangming meridian; another branch runs parallel to the main meridian, directly entering the palm and spreading in the area of the thenar. Its conditions: excess syndrome shows burning sensation in the palm and wrist; deficiency syndrome shows yawning, frequent urination, and enuresis. The Hand Taiyin collateral point can be used for treatment.
3 Hand Shaoyang Collateral
The Hand Shaoyang collateral, originally called the collateral of Hand Shaoyang, is also known as Waiguan. It is mentioned in the “Huangdi Neijing Ling Shu – Meridians.” It is the collateral that branches from the Hand Shaoyang meridian, originating from the Waiguan point, located 2 cun posterior to the wrist joint, and runs along the outer side of the arm, entering the chest and connecting with the Hand Jueyin pericardium meridian. Its conditions: excess syndrome shows elbow joint contraction; deficiency syndrome shows elbow joint relaxation and inability to flex. The Waiguan point can be used for treatment.
4 Hand Shaoyin Collateral
The Hand Shaoyin collateral, originally called the collateral of Hand Shaoyin, is also known as Tongli. It is mentioned in the “Huangdi Neijing Ling Shu – Meridians.” It branches from the Tongli point, located 1 cun posterior to the wrist joint, ascends along the main meridian into the heart, and then connects to the root of the tongue, belonging to the eye system (the tissues connecting the eyes to the brain). Its branch runs towards the Hand Taiyang meridian at the Tongli point. Its conditions: excess syndrome shows chest fullness and discomfort; deficiency syndrome shows inability to speak. The Hand Shaoyin collateral point Tongli can be used for treatment.
5 Hand Yangming Collateral
The Hand Yangming collateral, originally called the collateral of Hand Yangming, is mentioned in the “Huangdi Neijing Ling Shu – Meridians.” It branches from the Pianli point, located 3 cun posterior to the wrist joint, and connects with the Hand Taiyin meridian to communicate between the two meridians; its branch ascends along the arm to the shoulder and spreads to the root of the jaw; another branch enters the ear, connecting with the numerous meridians (Zongmai) gathered in the ear. Its conditions: excess syndrome shows dental caries and deafness; deficiency syndrome shows cold teeth, and qi obstruction can cause chest fullness. The Hand Yangming collateral point Pianli can be used for treatment.
6 Hand Jueyin Collateral
The Hand Jueyin collateral, originally called the collateral of Hand Xin Zhu, is mentioned in the “Huangdi Neijing Ling Shu – Meridians.” It originates from the Neiguan point, located 2 cun posterior to the wrist joint, and connects to the pericardium along the main meridian, dispersing to the heart. Its branch runs towards the Hand Shaoyang meridian at the Neiguan point to communicate the relationship between the Hand Jueyin and Shaoyang meridians. Its conditions: excess syndrome shows heart pain; deficiency syndrome shows heart disturbance. The Hand Jueyin collateral point Neiguan can be used for treatment.
7 Foot Taiyang Collateral
The Foot Taiyang collateral, originally called the collateral of Foot Taiyang, is mentioned in the “Huangdi Neijing Ling Shu – Meridians.” It is the collateral that branches from the Foot Taiyang bladder meridian. It branches from the Feiyang point, located 7 cun above the outer ankle, and runs towards the Foot Shaoyin meridian to communicate between the two meridians. Its conditions: excess syndrome shows clear nasal discharge, nasal congestion, and pain in the back of the head; deficiency syndrome shows clear nasal discharge and bleeding. The Feiyang point can be used for treatment.
8 Foot Taiyin Collateral
The Foot Taiyin collateral, originally called the collateral of Foot Taiyin, is mentioned in the “Huangdi Neijing Ling Shu – Meridians.” It is the collateral that branches from the Foot Taiyin spleen meridian. It branches from the Gongsun point, located 1 cun posterior to the base of the big toe, with one branch running towards the Foot Yangming meridian to strengthen the connection between the two meridians; another branch enters the abdominal cavity, connecting with the intestines and stomach. Its conditions: excess syndrome shows abdominal pain like cramping; deficiency syndrome shows abdominal distension; qi reversal can cause vomiting and diarrhea. The Gongsun point can be used for treatment.
9 Foot Shaoyang Collateral
The Foot Shaoyang collateral, originally called the collateral of Foot Shaoyang, is mentioned in the “Huangdi Neijing Ling Shu – Meridians.” It is the collateral that branches from the Foot Shaoyang gallbladder meridian. It branches from the Guangming point, located 5 cun above the outer ankle, and runs towards the Foot Jueyin meridian to communicate between the two meridians, then descends to the dorsum of the foot. Its conditions: excess syndrome shows coldness in the foot; deficiency syndrome shows weakness in the lower limbs, unable to stand up. The Guangming point can be used for treatment.
10 Foot Shaoyin Collateral
The Foot Shaoyin collateral, originally called the collateral of Foot Shaoyin, is mentioned in the “Huangdi Neijing Ling Shu – Meridians.” It is the collateral that branches from the Foot Shaoyin kidney meridian. It originates from the Dazhong point, running around the heel to the outer ankle, diverging towards the Foot Taiyang meridian; another branch runs parallel upwards, connecting under the pericardium and penetrating the lumbar spine. Its conditions: qi reversal can cause heart disturbance and chest tightness; excess syndrome shows urinary obstruction, deficiency syndrome shows low back pain. The Dazhong point can be used for treatment.
11 Foot Yangming Collateral
The Foot Yangming collateral, originally called the collateral of Foot Yangming, is mentioned in the “Huangdi Neijing Ling Shu – Meridians.” It is the collateral that branches from the Foot Yangming stomach meridian. It branches from the Fenglong point, located 8 cun above the outer ankle, running towards the Foot Taiyin meridian to strengthen the connection between the two meridians; another branch runs along the outer edge of the tibia, connecting to the head and neck (meeting at Dazhui), and descends to the throat. Its conditions: excess syndrome can cause mania; deficiency syndrome shows weakness in the lower leg muscles, muscle atrophy; qi reversal can cause throat swelling and sudden loss of voice. The Fenglong point can be used for treatment.
12 Foot Jueyin Collateral
The Foot Jueyin collateral, originally called the collateral of Foot Jueyin, is mentioned in the “Huangdi Neijing Ling Shu – Meridians.” It is the collateral that branches from the Foot Jueyin liver meridian. It branches from the Ligou point, located 5 cun above the inner ankle, running towards the Foot Shaoyang meridian; its branch ascends through the tibia to the testicular area, converging at the penis. If this collateral undergoes pathological changes, qi reversal can cause testicular swelling and sudden hernia; excess syndrome shows strong yang without collapse; deficiency syndrome shows itching in the genital area. The Ligou point can be used for treatment.
13 Ren Meridian Collateral
The Ren collateral, originally called the collateral of the Ren meridian, is mentioned in the “Huangdi Neijing Ling Shu – Meridians.” It is the collateral that branches from the Ren meridian. It originates from the Jiuwei (Jiuwei point), spreading in the abdomen below the xiphoid process. Its conditions: excess syndrome shows abdominal skin pain; deficiency syndrome shows abdominal skin itching. The Jiuwei point can be used for treatment.
14 Du Meridian Collateral
The Du collateral, originally called the collateral of the Du meridian, is mentioned in the “Huangdi Neijing Ling Shu – Meridians.” It is the collateral that branches from the Du meridian. It originates from the Changqiang point, running alongside the muscles on both sides of the spine, spreading to the head, and then descending to the shoulders, respectively running towards the two sides of the Foot Taiyang meridian, penetrating into the muscles beside the spine. Its conditions: excess syndrome shows spinal stiffness; deficiency syndrome shows heaviness in the head and instability. The Changqiang point can be used for treatment.
15 Major Spleen Collateral
The major collateral of the Spleen refers to the large collateral that branches from the spleen. It is mentioned in the “Huangdi Neijing Ling Shu – Meridians.” It originates from the Dabao point, located 3 cun below the axilla, spreading in the chest and lateral areas. Its conditions: excess syndrome shows widespread pain; deficiency syndrome shows weakness in the joints. For all the above conditions and symptoms of blood stasis, the Dabao point can be used for treatment.
For more articles, please follow our WeChat public account: bcqh2015
