Atlas of Acupuncture

1.2 The 12 Primary Channels (jing zheng)

Each channel is associated with its own specific pathological

symptoms, which are an important diagnostic tool in clinical

practice (for channel-specific pathologies see ➞chapter 4).

Communication between channels and

zangfu-Organs

The connections (anastomoses)between the channels have the

function of allowing communication within the channel system

as well as between the channels and the Organ systems. This

external/internal (biao-li) relationship comprises the following

aspects:

Communication from the Interior to the Exterior

● The internal pathways of the hand Yin channelsconnect

with their pertaining Organ as well as with their Yin/Yang-

paired fu-Organ. They flow from the thoracic region to the

Exterior and connect with their paired Yang channel at the

finger tips or on the hand (➞Fig. 1.11 a).

● The internal pathways of the foot Yang channelsconnect

with their pertaining fu-Organ as well as with their Yin/Yang-

paired zang-Organ. They then flow from the centre of the

body to its Exterior and connect with their paired Yin–chan-

nel at the foot (➞Fig. 1.11 b).

Communication from the Exterior to the Interior

● Each hand Yang channelbegins on the hand, runs to the

thoracic region, penetrates the thorax and connects in the

Interior of the body with its pertaining fu-Organ and its

Yin/Yang-paired zang-Organ (➞Fig. 1.11 c).

● Each foot Yin channelstarts at the foot, penetrates the

abdomen, reaches the Interior of the body and its pertain-

ing zang-Organ as well as its Yin/Yang-paired fu-Organ

(➞Fig. 1.11 d).

fu-Organ

zang-

Organ

Thorax

fu-Organ

zang-

Organ

fu-Organ

zang-

Organ

Thorax

fu-Organ

zang-

Organ

Thorax

a b

c d

Thorax

Fig. 1.11 Communication Interior →Exterior, hand-Yin

channels (a). Communication Interior →Exterior, foot-Yang

channels (b). Communication Exterior →Interior, hand-Yang

channels (c). Communication Exterior →Interior, foot-Yin

channels (d).

Ch01-F10028.qxd 2/22/08 2:30 PM Page 9