Atlas of Acupuncture

4.1 The Lung Channel System – Hand-taiyin(shou tai yin jing luo)

Clinical importance

● Strengthens the connection between the Lung and the Large

Intestine (zangfu-Organ systems). Points on the Large Intes-

tine primary channel can therefore be used for disorders of

the Lung, and vice versa points on the Lung primary channel

can treat disorders of the Large Intestine.

● Creates a network between the Lung primary channel and the

neck region at the confluent point ➞L.I.-18: thus LU points

such as ➞LU-10or ➞LU-11may be used to treat the neck

region.

4.1.3 The Lung Sinew Channel

(shou tai yin jing jin)

➡binds (jie) at the anterior shoulder region near the acromio-

clavicular joint

➡continues to the axilla and meets the other hand Yin sinew

channels (P, HE) at ➞G.B.-22(yuanye) and binds (jie) there

➡continues deep to the pectoralis major muscle and enters the

supraclavicular fossa at ➞ST-12(quepen)

➡courses to ➞ L.I.-15 (jianyu) and returns to ➞ ST-12

(quepen)

➡penetrates the supraclavicular fossa and disperses in the

thoracic and hypochondriac region and the diaphragm (➞Fig.)

Clinical importance

Pathology:Stiffness, cramps and pain along the sinew channel.

Xi fen: spasms and pain in the thorax and hypochondriac region.

In severe cases formation of nodules below the right lateral

costal region and distension along the lateral costal region.

Indication:Mainly for bi-syndromes (painful obstruction syn-

drome) along the LU channel.

The area covered by the Lung sinew channel is larger than that

covered by the Lung primary channel. This explains why the

indications of points on the Lung primary channel include disor-

ders and diseases of the thoracic and hypochondriac region.

4.1.4 The Lung luo-Connecting Vessel

System (shou tai yin luo mai)

LU-11

LU-9

LU-5

G.B.-22

(Meeting point of

the three hand Yin

sinew channels)

ST-12

L.I.-15

Pathway

The Lung sinew channel

➡begins on the thumb at LU-11(shaoshang), at the radial

aspect of the corner of the nail

➡spreads along the radial aspect of the thumb and the 1st

metacarpal bone as well as the thenar eminence

➡meets LU-9(taiyuan) and binds (jie) at the radial wrist joint

space

➡travels proximally along the anterolateral aspect of the

forearm

➡reaches the elbow at LU-5(chize) and binds (jie) at the biceps

tendon

➡follows the biceps brachii muscle and the lateral portion of

the deltoid muscle

LU-7

LU-10

Pathway

The Lung luo-connecting channel system separates from the

Lung primary channel at LU-7(lieque) (➞8.1.2) and forms a

three-dimensional reticular network, dividing into multiple

branches and sub-branches (sun luo, fu luo, xue luo➞1.5) within

the surrounding tissue.

➡Horizontal divisions course to the Interiorly–Exteriorly paired

Large Intestine primary channel; according to some schools

(for example Van Nghi, ➞Appendix) they travel as a trans-

verse Lung luovessel to the yuan-source point ➞L.I.-4(hegu).

➡A longitudinally orientated division spreads on the palm and

thenar eminence.

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