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12 REGULAR MERIDIANS
CHANNEL ABBREVIATION
HANDBOOK LU LI ST SP HT SI UB KD PC SJ GB LV RN DU
CAM LU LI ST SP HT SI BL KI PC TE GB LR CV GV
FCM LU LI ST SP HE SI BL KI P TB GB LIV REN DU
MNL LU LI ST SP HE SI BL KID P SJ GB LIV REN DU
SGH L LI S Sp H SI B K P TB GB Li Co Gv
CA Board L LI S Sp H SI B K P SJ G Liv Ren Du
CHANNEL FLOW LANDSCAPE
THREE CIRCUITS CHEST HAND FACE FOOT CHEST YIN-YANG IDENTITY
1st Circuit EARTH 地(지) LU LI ST SP Taiyin Yangming
2nd Circuit HEAVEN 天(천) HT SI UB KD Shaoyin Taiyang
3rd Circuit HUMAN 人(인) PC SJ GB LV Jueyin Shaoyang
YANGMING: MORE QI, MORE BLOOD / JUEYIN & TAIYANG: MORE BLOOD, LESS QI / TAIYIN, SHAOYIN & SHAOYANG: MORE QI, LESS BLOOD
BODY LANDSCAPE
CROSSING POINTS CAM, MNL, WEB
CROSSING POINTS ORGANEARTH
LU No crossing point LU, LI, (ST)
LI SI12, DU14, ST4, ,IL62UD LU
ST LI20, UB1, DU26, RN24, GB3, GB6, GB4, DU24, DU14, RN13, RN12 ST, SP
SP RN3, RN4, RN10, GB24, LV14, ,PS1UL ST, (HT)
HEAVEN
HT No crossing point HT, SI, (LU)
SI UB41, UB11, DU14, RN17, RN13, RN12, GB1, SJ22, ,IS1BU HT, (ST)
UB DU24, GB15, DU20, GB7, GB8, GB10, GB11, GB12, DU17, DU14, DU13, GB30 UB, KD
KD SP6, DU1, RN3, RN4 KD, UB, LV, LU, HT
HUM
AN
PC No crossing point PC, SJ
SJ SI12, DU14, GB21, (RN17), GB6, GB4, GB3, SI18, SI19, ,JS1BG PC
GB ST8, SJ22, SJ20, (SI17), DU14, UB11, SI12, SJ17, SI19, ST7, ST5, ST6, (LV13), (UB31-34) GB, LV
LV SP6, SP13, SP12, RN2, RN3, RN4, ,VL02UD GB, (LU, ST)
CHANNEL PATHWAYS Page 1
HANDBOOK OF O.M. (pp.127-134) (c) HB Kim, www.AcupunctureMedia.com
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CROSSING POINTS COMPREHENSIVE CHART CAM, MNL, WEB
POINT CHANNEL
REN
RN1 DU, CHONGRN2 LVRN3 ∙ 4 SP, KD, LVRN7 (CHONG)RN10 SPRN12 ∙ 13 ST, SIRN17 SI, SJRN22 ∙ 23 YIN WEIRN24 ST
DU
DU1 KDDU4 (CHONG, DAI)DU13 UBDU14 6 YANG CHANNELSDU15 YANG WEIDU16 YANG WEI, (YANG QIAO)DU17 UBDU20 UB, LVDU24 ST, UBDU26 LI, STDU28 REN
LU LU1 SP
LILI15 YANG QIAOLI16 YANG QIAOLI20 ST
ST
ST1 REN, YANG QIAOST3 YANG QIAOST4 LI, YANG QIAOST5 ∙ 6 ∙ 7 GBST8 GB, (YANG WEI)ST12 LI, ST, SI, SJ, GB, YIN QIAOST30 CHONG
SP
SP1 (CHONG)SP6 KD, LVSP10 (CHONG)SP12 LV, (YIN WEI)SP13 LV, YIN WEISP15 ∙ 16 YIN WEI
POINT CHANNEL
HT ☺ NO CROSSING POINTS
SI
SI10 YANG QIAO, YANG WEISI12 LI, SJ, GBSI17 GBSI18 SJSI19 SJ, GB
UB
UB1 ST, SI, YANG QIAO, YIN QIAOUB11 SI, GBUB12 DUUB23 (DAI)UB31‐34 GBUB41 SIUB59 ∙ 61 ∙ 62 YANG QIAOUB63 YANG WEI
KDKD6 ∙ 8 YIN QIAOKD9 YIN WEIKD11‐21 CHONG
PC ☺ NO CROSSING POINTS
SJ
SJ15 YANG WEISJ17 GBSJ20 GBSJ22 SI, GB
GB
GB1 SI, SJGB3 ∙ 4 ∙ 6 ST, SJGB7 ∙ 8 ∙ 10 ∙ 11 ∙ 12 UBGB13‐20 YANG WEIGB15 UB, YANG WEIGB20 YANG QIAO, YANG WEIGB21 SJ, YANG WEIGB24 SPGB26‐28 DAIGB29 YANG QIAOGB30 UBGB35 YANG WEI
LVLV1 (CHONG)LV13 GBLV14 SP, YIN WEI
BOLD: The points in bold font are academically important crossing points.(Parenthesis): Not all texts agree on the meridians in parenthesis.
DISTRIBUTIONVertex LV, UB
Origin
LU: Middle Jiao (RN12)Eye LV, HT(eye→brain) ST: LI20Both Canthus SI HT: HeartEar SI, SJ, GB KD: Beneath little toe
Gums Upper Gum: ST PC: Chest Lower Gum: LI Genital LV
Supraclavicular fossa All Yang channels except UB Tail bone KDCrossing diaphragm All channels except UB Sacral foramen UB, GBMany organs KD: KD, UB, LV, LU, HT Heel KDMany Front‐Mu SP: RN3, RN4, GB24, LV14, LU1 Tibial branch of ST End at lateral side of middle toeImportant Exit Points LU7, ST42, KD22, PC8, SJ22, GB41 Important Crossing Crossing Points Chart (pg.128)
CHANNEL PATHWAYS Page 2
HANDBOOK OF O.M. (pp.127-134) (c) HB Kim, www.AcupunctureMedia.com
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EARTH CIRCUIT : LU LI ST SP
LU MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. The LU Meridian originates in the middle por n of
the body cavity2. and runs downward, internally, to connect with the LI. 3. Turning back, it passes upward through the diaphragm 4. to enter its pertaining organ, the LU. 5. From the internal zone between the Lungs and the
throat, it emerges to the surface of the body under the clavicle.
6. Descending, the LU Meridian then runs along the medial aspect of the upper arm to reach the elbow crease.
7. From there, it runs along the anterior of the forearm,
8. passes above the major artery of the wrist, and emerges at the radial side of the p of the thumb.
9. Another se on of the LU Meridian branches off just above the wrist and runs directly to the radial side of the p of the index finger to connect with the LI Meridian.
▲ CROSSING POINTS : No crossing point
LI MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. The LI Meridian begins at the p of the index finger
and runs upward along the radial side of the index finger and between the thumb and index finger.
2. It passes through the depression between the tendons of the thumb and then con nues upward along the lateral aspect of the forearm to the lateral side of the elbow.
3. From there, it ascends along the anterior border of the upper arm (△SI12, △DU14)
4. to the highest point of the shoulder. 5. On top of the shoulder, the Meridian divides into two
branches.6. The first of these branches enters the body and passes
through the LU, 7. diaphragm, and the LI, its pertaining organ. 8. The second of these branches ascends externally along
the neck, 9. passes through the cheek, and enters, internally, the
lower teeth and gum. (△ST4)10. On the exterior, it c nues, curving around the
upper lip and crossing to the opposite side of the nose. (△DU26)
▲ CROSSING POINTS : SI12, DU14, ST4, DU26
4
5
3
1
9
7
8
9
2
6
6
54
8
7
3
2
1
9 10
CHANNEL PATHWAYS Page 3
HANDBOOK OF O.M. (pp.127-134) (c) HB Kim, www.AcupunctureMedia.com
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ST MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. The ST Meridian begins, internally, where the LI
Meridian terminates, next to the nose. It then ascends to the bridge of the nose, meeting the Bladder Meridian at the inner corner of the eye, and emerging under the eye. (△LI20, △UB1)
2. Descending from there, lateral to the nose, it enters the upper gum
3. and curves around the lips before passing along the side of the lower jawbone and through the angle of the jaw. (△DU26, △RN24)
4. It then turns upward, running in front of the ear to the corner of the forehead. (△GB3,6,4, △DU24)
5. A branch descends from the lower jaw, (△DU14) 6. enters the body, and descends through the diaphragm.
It then enters its pertaining organ, the ST, and connects with the SP. (△RN13,12)
7. Another branch leaves the lower jaw, but remains on the surface of the body as it crosses over the neck, chest,
8. and abdomen, and terminates in the groin. 9. Internally, the Meridian reconstitutes itself at the lower
end of the ST and descends inside the abdomen to reconnect with the external branch in the groin.
10. From this point, the Meridian runs downward over the front of the thigh
11. to the outer side of the knee, and continues along the center of the front of the lower leg to reach the top of the foot. It terminates at the lateral side of the tip of the second toe.
12. A branch deviates from the Stomach Meridian just below the knee and ends at the lateral side of the middle toe.
13. A short branch also leaves from the top of the foot and terminates at the medial side of the big toe to connect with the SP Meridian.
▲ CROSSING POINTS : LI20, UB1, DU26, RN24, GB3,6,4, DU24, DU14, RN13,12
SP MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. The SP Meridian originates at the medial side of the
big toe. It then runs along the inside of the foot, turning in front of the inner ankle bone.
2. From there, it ascends along the posterior surface of the lower leg
3. and the medial aspect of the knee and thigh 4. to enter the abdominal cavity. (△RN3,4, △RN10) 5. It runs internally to its pertaining organ, the SP, 6. and connects with the ST. 7. The main Meridian continues on the surface of the
abdomen, running upward to the chest, (△GB24, △LV14, △LU1)
8. where it again penetrates internally to follow the throat
9. up to the root of the tongue, where it spreads over its lower surface.
10. An internal branch leaves the ST, passes upward through the diaphragm, and enters into the HT, where it connects with the HT Meridian.
▲ CROSSING POINTS : RN3,4, RN10, GB24, LV14, LU1
13
7
5
11
12
4
3
5
8
10
9
6
7
89
10
5
1
6
3
2
CHANNEL PATHWAYS Page 4
HANDBOOK OF O.M. (pp.127-134) (c) HB Kim, www.AcupunctureMedia.com
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HEAVEN CIRCUIT : HT SI UB KD
HT MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. The HT Meridian has three branches, each of which
begins in the HT. 2. One branch runs downward through the diaphragm to
connect to the SI. 3. A second branch runs upward from the HT along the
side of the throat to meet the eye. 4. The third branch runs across the chest from the Heart
to the LU, then descends and emerges in the underarm.
5. It passes along the midline of the inside of the upper arm,
6. runs downward across the inner elbow, along the midline of the inside of the forearm,
7. crosses the wrist and palm, and terminates at the inside p of the li le finger, where it connects with the SI Meridian.
▲ CROSSING POINTS : No crossing point
SI MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. The SI Meridian begins on the outside of the p of
the li e finger, crosses the palm and wrist, 2. and passes upward along the posterior aspect of the
forearm. 3. The Meridian con nues upward along the posterior
border of the lateral aspect of the upper arm, 4. circles behind the shoulder, and runs to the center of
the uppermost part of the back (where it meets the DU Meridian). (△UB41, △UB11, △DU14)
5. Here, the Meridian divides into two branches, one entering internally
6. to connect with the HT, (△RN17)7. diaphragm, and ST, (△RN13,12)8. before entering its pertaining organ, the SI. 9. The second branch ascends along the side of the neck 10. to the cheek 11. and outer corner of the eye before entering the ear.
(△GB1, △SJ22)12. A short branch leaves the Meridian on the cheek and
runs to the inner corner of the eye, where it connects with the Bladder Meridian. (△UB1)
▲ CROSSING POINTS : UB41, UB11, DU14, RN17,13,12, GB1, SJ22, UB1
3
1
4
2
5
6
9
5
6
7
8
10
11
3
2
1
4
CHANNEL PATHWAYS Page 5
HANDBOOK OF O.M. (pp.127-134) (c) HB Kim, www.AcupunctureMedia.com
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UB MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. The UB Meridian starts at the inner side of the eye
and ascends across the forehead to the vertex of the head. (△DU24, △GB15, △DU20)
2. From this point, a small branch splits off and enters into the brain, (△GB7,8,10,11,12)
3. while the main Meridian es to descend along the back of the head (△DU17)
4. and bifurcates at the back of the neck. 5. The inner of these two branches descends a short
distance to the center of the base of the neck, (△DU14,13)
6. then descends parallel to the spine. 7. A branch splits off, entering the body in the lumbar
region and conn ng to the KD8. and its pertaining organ, the UB. 9. The outer branch traverses the back of the shoulder,10. descends adjacent to the inner branch and the spinal
cord, and crosses the ocks. (△GB30)11. The two branches nue downward, descend the
posterior aspect of the thigh, and join behind the knee.
12. The single Meridian now c nues down the back of the lower leg, circles behind the outer ankle,
13. runs along the outside of the foot, and terminates on the lateral side of the p of the small toe, where it connects with the KD Meridian.
▲ CROSSING POINTS : DU24, GB15, DU20, GB7,8,10,11,12, DU17, DU14,13, GB30
KD MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. The KD Meridian starts from the inferior aspect of the
small toe, runs across the sole of the foot, 2. and emerges along the arch of the foot to circle
behind the inner ankle and pass through the heel. 3. It then ascends the medial side of the lower leg to
the medial side of the knee crease, (△SP6)4. climbs upward along the innermost aspect of the thigh, 5. and penetrates the body near the base of the spine.
(△DU1)6. This branch connects internally with the KD, its
pertaining organ, 7. and with the UB, 8. before returning to the surface of the abdomen above
the pubic bone and running upward over the abdomen and chest. (△RN3,4)
9. Another branch begins inside at the KD, passes upwardthrough the LV and diaphragm, and enters the LU.
10. This branch c nues along the throat and terminates at the root of the tongue.
11. A smaller branch leaves the LU, joins the HT, and flows into the chest to connect with the PC Meridian.
▲ CROSSING POINTS : SP6, DU1, RN3,4
13
12
11
6
10
95
23
4
7
8
1
3
4
8
1
2
11
7
5
10
6
9
CHANNEL PATHWAYS Page 6
HANDBOOK OF O.M. (pp.127-134) (c) HB Kim, www.AcupunctureMedia.com
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HUMAN CIRCUIT : PC SJ GB LV
PC MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. Beginning in the chest and in its pertaining organ, the
PC, 2. this Meridian descends through the diaphragm to link
the Upper, middle, and Lower portions of the SJ. 3. A second internal branch of the Meridian crosses the
chest, emerging to the surface at the area of the ribs. 4. The Meridian then ascends around the armpit 5. and continues down the medial aspect of the upper
arm to the elbow crease. 6. It runs further down the forearm 7. to the palm of the hand, ending at the tip of the
middle finger. 8. A short branch splits off from the palm to connect
with the SJ Meridian at the end of the ring finger.
▲ CROSSING POINTS : No crossing point
SJ MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. Beginning at the outside tip of the ring finger, the SJ
Meridian proceeds over the back of the hand 2. and wrist to the forearm. 3. It runs upward, passing around the outer elbow, along
the lateral aspect of the upper arm, 4. to reach the posterior shoulder region. (△SI12, △DU14)
5. From here, the Meridian travels over the shoulder and enters into the chest underneath the breastbone. (△GB21)
6. An internal branch passes from this point through the PC, penetrates the diaphragm, (△RN17)
7. and then proceeds downward to unite the Upper, Middle, and Lower Burners.
8. Another, exterior branch ascends toward the shoulder and runs internally up the neck.
9. It reaches the posterior border of the ear 10. and then interiorly circles the face. (△GB6,4,3) 11. A short branch originates behind the ear, penetrates
the ear, and emerges in front of the ear to reach the outer end of the eyebrow and connect to the GB Meridian. (△SI19, △GB1)
▲ CROSSING POINTS : SI12, DU14, GB21, (RN17), GB6,4,3, SI18, SI19, GB1
1
2
6
7
8
5
43
8
11
7
6
10
2
1
5
4
3
9
CHANNEL PATHWAYS Page 7
HANDBOOK OF O.M. (pp.127-134) (c) HB Kim, www.AcupunctureMedia.com
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GB MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. The GB Meridian begins at the outer corner of the
eye, where two branches arise. 2. One branch, remaining on the surface, weaves back
and forth on the lateral aspect of the head before curving behind the ear to reach the top of the shoulder. (△ST8, △SJ22, △SJ20, △SI17, △DU14, △UB11, △SI12) (Ear branch : △SJ17, △SI19, △ST7)
3. It then con nues downward, passing in front of the underarm
4. and along the lateral aspect of the rib cage to reach the hip region.
5. The second branch internally traverses the cheek (△ST5,6)
6. and proceeds internally through the neck 7. and chest to reach the LV (△LV13)8. and its pertaining organ, the GB. 9. downward, this branch emerges on the side
of the lower abdomen, where it connects with the other branch in the hip area. (△UB31,32,33,34)
10. The Meridian then descends along the lateral aspect of the thigh
11. and knee to the side of the lower leg and further downward in front of the outer ankle.
12. It crosses the top of the foot and terminates at the lateral side of the p of the fourth toe.
13. A branch leaves the Meridian just below the ankle to cross over the foot to the big toe, where it connects with the LV Meridian.
▲ CROSSING POINTS : ST8, SJ22, SJ20, (SI17), DU14, UB11, SI12, SJ17, SI19, ST7, ST5, ST6, (LV13), (UB31,32,33,34)
LV MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. Beginning on the top of the big toe, the LV Meridian
traverses the top of the foot, 2. ascending in front of the inner ankle and along the
medial aspect of the lower leg and knee. (△SP6)3. It runs co nuously along the medial aspect of the
thigh (△SP13,12)4. to the pubic region, where it encircles the external
genitalia before entering the lower abdomen. (△RN2,3,4)
5. It ascends internally, 6. connects with its pertaining organ, the LV, 7. and with the GB, and underneath the ribs 8. before pouring into the LU, where it connects with the
LU Meridian. 9. The en cycle of the Meridian system begins anew
here. Recon tu ng itself, the Meridian follows the trachea upward to the throat
10. and connects with the eyes. Two branches leave the eye area:
11. One descends across the cheek to encircle the inner surface of the lips;
12. a second branch ascends across the forehead to reach the vertex of the head.
▲ CROSSING POINTS : SP6, SP13,12, RN2,3,4, DU20
3
6
5
2
1
10
9
84
7
12 13
11
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
9
7
10
12
11
(△DU20)
CHANNEL PATHWAYS Page 8
HANDBOOK OF O.M. (pp.127-134) (c) HB Kim, www.AcupunctureMedia.com