Atlas of Acupuncture

4 Acupuncture Points of the Twelve Primary Channels

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

speech, confusion, irritability, fullness and distension in the tho-

rax and lateral costal region, aphasia, palpitations

Connections of the Pericardium primary

channel (➞1.2)

Connections with other channels

Triple Burner primary channel (shou shao yang jing)

Connection:Hand Yin–Yang pairing of the third great circuit

Location: P-8 ➞T.B.-1(on the hand)

Circulation:Circadian (according to the Organ clock)

Importance:Exterior–Interior relationship

Liver primary channel (zu jue yin jing)

Connection:Six-channel pairing of the third great circuit (Yin

axes): jue yin

Location: LIV ➞P. An internal branch of the Liver primary

channel emerges at the Liver, penetrates the diaphragm and con-

nects with the Pericardium primary channel beneath P-1(tianchi).

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

Importance:Above–below relationship

Kidney primary channel (zu shao yin jing)

Connection:Deep Yin–Yin connection

Location: KID ➞P(on the thorax). A branch of the internal

pathway of the Kidney primary channel travels from the Kidney

to the Liver, penetrates the diaphragm and spreads in the Lung

(fei). From the Lung, an internal branch runs to the Heart (xin),

where it joins the Pericardium primary channel (deep Yin–Yin

connection) and further reaches ➞Ren-17(shanzhong).

Circulation:Circadian (according to the Organ clock)

Importance:The Pericardium primary channel receives Nutri-

tive Qi (ying qi) from the Kidney primary channel (first circula-

tion of the ying qi➞1.1.4).

Connections with zangfu-Organ systems

Pericardium (xin bao), Triple Burner (san jiao)

4.9.2 The Pericardium Divergent

Channel (shou jue yin jing bie)

Ren-23

G.B.-22 P-1

T.B.-16

(5th confluence)

Pathway

The Pericardium divergent channel separates from the Pericardium

primary channel near P-1(tianchi), 1 cun lateral to the nipple on

the level of the 4th intercostal space. It

➡runs in a lateral direction to ➞G.B.-22(yuanye)

➡penetrates the thorax, continues to the Heart (xin) and divides

into two branches:

● one branchconnects with the Upper, Middle and Lower

Burner

● the other branch ascends to the neck to ➞ Ren-23

(lianquan) and continues to the lateral aspect of the neck,

emerges at ➞T.B.-16(tianyou) on the posterior border of the

sternocleidomastoid muscle on the level of the mandibular

angle, connecting with the Triple Burner primary channel

and the Triple Burner divergent channel to form one of the 6

he-confluences (here: P/T.B. as 5th Confluence ➞1.3)

Clinical importance

● Strengthens the relationship between the Pericardium and the

Triple Burner (zangfu-Organ systems). Points on the Peri-

cardium primary channel can therefore be used for disorders

of the Triple Burner; vice versa, points on the Triple Burner

primary channel can treat disorders of the Pericardium.

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