Atlas of Acupuncture

4 Acupuncture Points of the Twelve Primary Channels

➡ascends anterior to the medial malleolus and continues along

the posterior border of the medial crest of the tibia

➡passes the anteromedial region of the knee and thigh

➡ascends the abdomen lateral to the midline to the second

intercostal space, passing on its way ➞Ren-3(zhongji),

➞ Ren-4(guanyuan), ➞ Ren-10(xiawan), ➞ G.B.-24

(riyue) and ➞LIV-14(qimen)

➡curves downward again and terminates 6 cun inferior to the

axilla on the midaxillary line at SP-21(dabao).

According to Solinas et al (1998), its inner pathwaybranches off

at ➞Ren-10(xiawan) and enters the Spleen (pi), its pertaining

zang-Organ, and connects with the Stomach (wei), its paired

fu-Organ. From the Stomach (wei), an Interior branchpasses

the diaphragm, ascends part of the oesophagus and enters the

Heart (xin), where it connects with the Heart primary channel

(shou shao yin jing) (deep Yin–Yin connection ➞1.2). From

SP-20(zhourong), a further branch ascends to ➞ LU-1

(zhongfu)at the level of the first intercostal space to form the

hand–foot pairing (Yin axes of the first great circuit, taiyin).

The branch ascends further to the tongue, reaches the root of the

tongue and disperses on its lower surface.

Clinical importance (➞1.2)

Exterior (biao) signs and symptoms:Heavy sensations of the

head and body, sensation of weakness in the legs, general fever,

pain in the lower cheek, muscular atrophy and weakness of the

legs and medial hip region, cold knees, feet and legs, oedema

Interior (li) or zangfu-Organ signs and symptoms:Abdomi-

nal pain, diarrhoea or loose stools with undigested food, borbo-

rygmus, belching and dizziness, abdominal masses, loss of

appetite, a sallow complexion, retention of urine

Excess (shi) ➞Spasms, foot pain

Deficiency (xu) ➞Abdominal fullness, borborygmus, diarrhoea

with undigested food

Connections and meeting points of the

Spleen primary channel (➞1.2)

Connections with other channels

Stomach primary channel (zu yang ming jing)

Connection:Foot Yin–Yang connection of the first great circuit

Location: ST-42 SP-1(on the foot).

Circulation:Circadian (according to the Organ clock)

Importance:Interior–Exterior relationship

Lung primary channel (shou tai yin jing)

Connection:Paired according to the six channel theory (hand–

foot pairing) ➞tai yin(Yin axes of the first great circuit)

Location: SP-20 ➞LU-1(on the thorax). A branch of the

Spleen primary channel ascends from SP-20(zhourong) to LU-1

(zhongfu)

Circulation: Non-circadian (notaccording to the Organ clock)

Importance:Above–below relationship

Heart primary channel (shou shao yin jing)

Connection:Deep Yin–Yinconnection

Location: SP ➞HE(on the thorax). An internal branch of the

Spleen primary channel spreads inside the Heart (xin) and con-

nects with the Heart primary channel.

Circulation:Circadian (according to the Organ clock)

Importance:The Heart primary channel receives Nutritive Qi

(ying qi) from the Spleen primary channel (first circulation of

the ying qi➞1.1.4)

Connections with other zangfu-Organs

Spleen (pi), Stomach (wei), Heart (xin)

SP-20

SP-21

Mid-axillary line

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