THE 12 PRIMARY CHANNELS · THE 12 PRIMARY CHANNELS 十二正經(십이정경) Source text: A Manual of Acupuncture The images are courtesy of A Manual of Acupuncture. The primary

THE 12 PRIMARY CHANNELS 十二正經(십이정경)Source text: A Manual of Acupuncture

The images are courtesy of A Manual of Acupuncture.

The primary channels:

Enters Connects Some primary channels connect

its pertaining organ its paired organ more than two organs

ENTERS CONNECTS ALSO CONNECTS

EARTH

CIRCUIT

LU LU LI ST

LI LI LU

ST ST SP

SP SP ST HT

HEAVEN

CIRCUIT

HT HT SI LU

SI SI HT ST

UB UB KD

KD KD UB LV LU HT

HUMAN

CIRCUIT

PC PC SJ

SJ SJ PC

GB GB LV

LV LV GB ST LU

Connected Organs Page 1

HB Kim, www.AcupunctureMedia.com

THE LUNG PRIMARY CHANNEL

THE LUNG PRIMARY CHANNEL originates in the middle jiao, in the region of the Stomach, descends to connect with the Large Intestine, returns upwards to pass the cardiac orifice of the Stomach and traverses the

diaphragm, penetrates the Lung, ascends to the throat region, passes obliquely downwards towards LU‐1 where the channel emerges, ascends one rib space to LU‐2 in the centre of the hollow of the del to‐pectoral

triangle, descends along the antero‐lateral aspect of the upper arm, lateral to the Heart and

Pericardium channels, to the cubital fossa of the elbow at LU‐5, passes along the antero‐lateral aspect of the forearm towards the styloid process of

the radius, follows the lateral border of the radial artery to the wrist at LU‐9, traverses the thenar eminence to terminate at the radial side of the thumbnail at

LU‐11. a branch separates from the main channel at LU‐7, at the styloid process, and travels

directly to the radial side of the tip of the index finger, where it links with the Large Intestine channel at LI‐1.

Connected organs: Stomach, Large Intestine, Lung

Meeting points: None



THE LARGE INTESTINE PRIMARY CHANNEL

THE LARGE INTESTINE PRIMARY CHANNEL begins at the radial side of the tip of the index finger, runs proximally along the radial side of the index finger and passes through the

interspace between the first and second metacarpal bones at LI‐4, reaches the depression between the tendons of extensor pollicis longus and brevis

(anatomical snuffbox) where LI‐5 is situated, continues along the lateral aspect of the forearm to the lateral aspect of the elbow

at LI11, rises along the lateral aspect of the upper arm to the shoulder joint at LI‐15, crosses behind the shoulder to the depression between the scapular spine and the

lateral extremity of the clavicle (LI‐16), travels in a medial direction, passing through SI‐12 (in the centre of the

suprascapular fossa) to DU‐14 (just below the spinous process of the vertebra of C7) where it meets with the other five yang channels of the hand and foot,

from DU‐14 it enters the supraclavicular fossa in the region of ST‐12 and connects with the Lung before descending through the diaphragm to join with the Large Intestine,

another branch ascends from the supraclavicular fossa along the lateral aspect of the neck, passes through the cheek, and enters the lower gums,

from the gums the channel passes through ST‐4, curves around the upper lip and crosses to the opposite side of the body at DU‐26, at the philtrum,

from DU‐26, the left channel travels to the right and the right channel travels to the left to terminate either side of the nose at LI‐20,

at LI‐20 the Large Intestine channel joins with the Stomach channel. According to the Spiritual Pivot a branch of the Large Intestine primary channel

descends to ST‐37.

Connected organs: Lung, Large Intestine

Meeting points: ST‐4, ST‐12, SI‐12, DU‐14, DU‐26, REN‐24 (Note that although GB‐5, GB‐6 and GB‐14 are classically listed as meeting points with the Large Intestine channel, illustrations of the channel do not normally show these connections.)

Note: □ According to descriptions of the Lung primary channel pathway, a branch of the

channel runs from LU‐7 to LI‐1. This latter point however is not classified as a meeting point of the Large Intestine and Lung channels.

□ REN‐24 is classified as a meeting point of the Conception vessel with the Large Intestine channel. This connection is not conventionally mentioned however, in descriptions of the pathway of the Large Intestine primary channel.



THE STOMACH PRIMARY CHANNELTHE STOMACH PRIMARY CHANNEL begins at the lateral side of the nose at LI‐20, ascends to the medial canthus where it meets the Bladder channel at BL‐1, descends laterally along the infra‐orbital ridge to ST‐1, descends to enter the upper gum and curves to meet with DU‐28 and DU‐26, circles around the lips and meets the Conception vessel at REN‐24 in the

mento‐labial groove of the chin, runs laterally across the cheeks to ST‐5 and to ST‐6 at the angle of the mandible, ascends anterior to the ear passing via ST‐7 to GB‐3, ascends within the hairline of the temporal region to ST‐5, passing via GB‐6, GB‐5

and GB‐4, follows the hairline to meet the Governing channel at DU‐24.A branch separates at Daying ST‐5 and descends along the anterior border of the

sternocleidomastoid muscle in the throat region to enter the supraclavicular fossa at ST‐12,

travels posteriorly to the upper back where it meets the Governing channel at DU‐14, descends through the diaphragm, linking with REN‐13 and REN‐12 to enter the

Stomach and connect with the Spleen.A further branch descends from ST‐12 along the mamillary line, 4 cun lateral to the midline as far as

ST‐18, then passes 2 cun lateral to the midline and descends alongside the umbilicus to ST‐30 in the inguinal region.

A further branch originates from the pyloric orifice of the Stomach, descends within the abdomen and

meets with the previous portion of the channel at ST‐30. From the inguinal region at ST‐30 the channel travels laterally to ST‐31 on the antero‐Iateral aspect of the thigh, descends along the lateral margin of the femur to the patella and alongside the

lateral margin of the tibia to the dorsum of the foot, terminating at the lateral side of the tip of the second toe at ST‐45.

A further branch separates from the main channel at ST‐36, three cun below the knee, and terminates

at the lateral aspect of the middle toe.A further branch separates on the dorsum of the foot at ST‐42 and terminates at the medial side of

the tip of the big toe at SP‐1 where it links with the Spleen channel.

Connected organs: Stomach, Spleen

Meeting points: LI‐20, BL‐1, GB‐3, GB‐4, GB‐5, GB‐6, DU‐14, DU‐24, DU‐26, DU‐28, REN‐12, REN‐13, REN‐24

Note: □ GB‐14 and GB‐21 are also known as meeting points of the Gall Bladder and Stomach

channels, but illustrations of the Stomach channel do not normally show these connections.

□ By contrast, although a branch of the Stomach channel connects ST‐42 with SP‐1, the latter point is not described as a meeting point of the Spleen and Stomach channels.



THE SPLEEN PRIMARY CHANNEL

THE SPLEEN PRIMARY CHANNEL begins at the medial side of the tip of the big toe at SP‐1, runs along the medial aspect of the foot, following the border where the skin

changes colour, ascends in front of the medial malleolus at SP‐5, follows the posterior border of the tibia up the medial aspect of the leg to a point

8 cun superior to the medial malleolus where it crosses (and then travels anterior to) the Liver channel,

ascends along the medial aspect of the knee and the antero‐medial aspect of the thigh to the lower abdomen where it intersects the Conception vessel at REN‐3, REN‐4 and REN‐10 before entering the Spleen and connecting with the Stomach,

emerges in the region of the Stomach and ascends first at 4 cun lateral to the midline then at 6 cun lateral to the midline, passing through GB‐24, LIV‐14 and LU‐1, and descends to

terminate in the seventh intercostal space on the mid axillary line at SP‐21.A branch ascends through the diaphragm, runs alongside the oesophagus and spreads over the

lower surface of the tongue.A further branch ascends from the Stomach, passes through the diaphragm and flows to link with the

Heart.

Connected organs: Spleen, Stomach, Heart

Meeting points: LU‐1, GB‐24, LIV‐14, REN‐3, REN‐4, REN‐10

Note: REN‐17 is classified as a meeting point of the Spleen primary channel with the Conception vessel, but descriptions of the Spleen channel pathway do not conventionally mention this point.



THE HEART PRIMARY CHANNEL

THE HEART PRIMARY CHANNEL originates in the Heart, emerges from the system of blood vessels surrounding the Heart and descends

through the diaphragm to connect with the Small Intestine, a branch separates from the Heart, ascends alongside the oesophagus and then

across the face and cheek to connect with the tissues surrounding the eye, another branch travels directly from the Heart to the Lung and descends to emerge

from the axilla at HE‐1, then "travels along the medial aspect of the upper arm (medial to the Lung and Pericardium channels) to the elbow at HE‐3,

descends along the antero‐medial aspect of the lower arm to the pisiform bone of the wrist at HE‐7,

travels through the palm and along the radial side of the little finger to terminate at the radial corner of the nail at HE‐9.

Connected organs: Heart, Small Intestine, Lung




THE SMALL INTESTINE PRIMARY CHANNELTHE SMALL INTESTINE PRIMARY CHANNEL originates at the ulnar side of the tip of the little finger at SI‐1, ascends along the ulnar aspect of the hand to reach the wrist where it emerges at

the styloid process of the ulna at SI‐6, follows the ulna to the medial aspect of the elbow, where it passes between the

olecranon of the ulna and the medial epicondyle of the humerus at SI‐8, runs along the posterior aspect of the upper arm (intersecting the Large Intestine

channel at LI‐14) to the posterior aspect of the shoulder joint at SI‐10, zig‐zags from the inferior fossa to the superior fossa of the scapula through SI‐11

and SI‐12, and then to the medial aspect of the scapular spine at SI‐13, crosses via SI‐14 and SI‐15 to DU‐14 at the lower border of the spinous process of

C7, intersecting the Bladder channel at BL‐41 and BL‐11, descends into the supraclavicular fossa at ST‐12 and connects with the Heart, descends along the oesophagus, intersects the Conception vessel at REN‐17 and

passes through the diaphragm to the Stomach, intersects the Conception vessel at REN‐13 and REN‐12 and enters the Small

Intestine.A branch ascends from the supraclavicular fossa to cross the neck and cheek to the outer

canthus of the eye, where it meets the Gall Bladder channel at GB‐1, then travels posteriorly towards

the ear, where it intersects the Gall Bladder channel at GB‐11 and the Sanjiao channel at SJ‐20 and SJ‐22 and enters the ear at SI‐19.

Another branch separates from the previous branch on the cheek and ascends to the infra‐orbital

region (SI‐18) then along the lateral aspect of the nose to the inner canthus where it meets with the Bladder channel at BL‐1.

According to the Spiritual Pivot another branch descends to ST‐39, the lower he‐sea point of the Small Intestine.

Connected organs: Heart, Stomach, Small Intestine

Meeting points: LI‐14, DU‐14, BL‐41, BL‐11, ST‐12, REN‐17, REN‐13, REN‐12, GB‐1, GB‐11, SJ‐20, SJ‐22, BL‐1



THE BLADDER PRIMARY CHANNEL

THE BLADDER PRIMARY CHANNEL begins at the inner canthus of the eye at BL‐1 and ascends along the forehead to

the vertex to intersect with GB‐15, DU‐24 and DU‐20, from the vertex, a branch descends to the temples in the region above the ear,

intersecting the Gall Bladder channel at points GB‐7, GB‐8, GB‐9, GB‐10, GB‐11 and GB‐12,

from the vertex, another branch enters the brain, meets the Governing channel at DU‐17 and then emerges to descend to the nape of the neck where the channel splits into two branches.

The first (medial) branch descends along the posterior aspect of the neck, intersecting DU‐14 and DU‐13, then

descends alongside the spine, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline, to the lumbar region, penetrates deep into the interior via the paravertebral muscles to connect with the

Kidneys and link with the Bladder, a sub‐branch separates in the lumbar region, descends along the sacrum, crosses the

buttock and descends to the popliteal fossa of the knee at BL‐40.The second (lateral) branch separates at the nape of the neck and descends to the medial border of the scapula

and then parallel to the spIne, 3 cun lateral to the midline, to the gluteal region, crosses the buttock to intersect at GB‐30, then descends along the postero‐lateral

aspect of the thigh to meet with the previous branch of the channel in the popliteal fossa at BL‐40,

descends through the gastrocnemius muscle, emerges posterior to the lateral malleolus at BL‐60, then follows along the fifth metatarsal bone to terminate at BL‐67 at the lateral side of the tip of the fifth toe, where it meets with the Kidney channel.

Connected organs: Kidneys, Bladder

Meeting points: DU‐20, DU‐24, GB‐15, GB‐7, GB‐8, GB‐9, GB‐10, GB‐11, GB‐12, DU‐17, DU‐14, DU‐13, GB‐30

Note: Although not mentioned in the classical pathway described above, the following points are also traditionally said to be meeting points with the Bladder channel: LI‐14, SI‐10 and GB‐23.



THE KIDNEY PRIMARY CHANNEL

THE KIDNEY PRIMARY CHANNEL begins beneath the little toe, crosses the sole of the foot to KID‐1, emerges at KID‐2, anterior and inferior to the navicular tuberosity, travels posterior to the medial malleolus at KID‐3 where it descends through the heel

and then ascends to below the medial malleolus at KID‐6, ascends along the medial aspect of the leg, intersecting the Spleen channel at SP‐6, continues up the leg to the medial side of the popliteal fossa at KID‐10 and along

the postero‐medial aspect of the thigh to the tip of the coccyx where it intersects with the Governing vessel at DU‐1,

threads its way through the spine, enters the Kidney and connects with the Bladder, intersects the Conception vessel at REN‐3, REN‐4 and REN‐7, one branch emerges from the Kidney, ascends through the Liver and diaphragm,

enters the Lung and ascends along the throat to terminate at the root of the tongue,

another branch separates in the Lung, joins with the Heart and disperses in the chest to link with the Pericardium channel and REN‐17.

Connected organs: Kidney, Bladder, Liver, Lung, Heart

Meeting points: SP‐6, DU1, REN‐3, REN‐4, REN‐7, REN‐17



THE PERICARDIUM PRIMARY CHANNEL

THE PERICARDIUM PRIMARY CHANNEL originates in the centre of the chest, connects with the Pericardium, and descends

through the diaphragm to the abdomen, passing through the upper, middle and lower jiao.

One branch runs from inside the chest to emerge in the costal region 3 cun inferior to the

anterior axillary fold (near P‐1), arches over the axilla, and follows along the anteromedial aspect of the upper arm,

between the Lung and Heart channels to the cubital fossa of the elbow at P‐3, descends the forearm between the tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi

radialis muscles to reach the palm at P‐8, travels from the palm along the middle finger to terminate at its tip at P‐9.Another branch arises from the palm at P‐8 and follows the radial aspect of the ring finger to its

tip.

Connected organs: Pericardium, Sanjiao (upper, middle and lower jiao)




THE SAN JIAO PRIMARY CHANNEL

THE SANJIAO PRIMARY CHANNEL begins at the ulnar aspect of the tip of the ring finger and runs between the fourth

and fifth metacarpal bones along the dorsum of the hand, travels up the posterior aspect of the forearm between the radius and the ulna and

between the Large and Small Intestine channels, traverses the olecranon of the ulna at SJ‐10 and continues up the postero‐lateral

aspect of the upper arm to the shoulder where it intersects the Small Intestine channel at Sl‐12,

travels towards the spine via BL‐11 where it intersects the Governing vessel at DU‐14,

ascends laterally to the highest point of the shoulder where it intersects the Gall Bladder channel at GB‐21,

descends anteriorly into the supraclavicular fossa at ST‐12, then disperses midway between the breasts at REN‐17,

connects with the Pericardium then descends through the diaphragm to the abdomen via REN‐12, linking along its pathway the upper, middle and lower jiao.

A branch of the channel separates in the region of REN‐17, ascends to emerge from the supraclavicular fossa, rises along the neck to the posterior aspect of the ear, circles behind the ear via GB‐11 to the temples where it intersects the Gall Bladder

channel at GB‐6, GB‐5, GB‐4 and GB‐14, winds down across the cheek, intersecting the Small Intestine channel at SI‐18, ascends to the inferior aspect of the eye.Another branch separates behind the ear and enters the ear, emerges in front of the ear to intersect the Small Intestine and Gall Bladder channels

at Sl‐19 and GB‐3, crosses the previous branch on the cheek to terminate at the outer canthus of the

eye at SJ‐23, linking with GB‐1. According to the Spiritual Pivot a branch of the Sanjiao primary channel descends to

BL‐39.

Connected organs: Pericardium, Sanjiao (upper, middle and lower jiao)

Meeting points: Sl‐12, BL‐11, DU‐14, GB‐21, ST‐12, REN‐17, REN‐12, GB‐11, GB‐6, GB‐5, GB‐4, GB‐14, SI‐18, Sl‐19, GB‐3, GB‐1

Note: BL‐1, P‐1, DU‐20 and GB‐20 are classified as meeting points of the Sanjiao channel, but illustrations of the channel do not normally show these connections.



THE GALL BLADDER PRIMARY CHANNEL

THE GALL BLADDER PRIMARY CHANNEL begins near the outer canthus of the eye at GB‐1, crosses to the anterior portion of the ear at GB‐2 then ascends to the upper border

of the zygomatic arch at GB‐3, ascends to the corner of the forehead at GB‐4 and descends via points GB‐5, GB‐6

and GB‐7 to the region above the ear where it meets with SJ‐22, curves posteriorly behind the ear to the mastoid process at GB‐12, meeting with

SJ‐20 on the way, curves upwards across the side of the head to the corner of the forehead at ST‐8

and descends to the supraorbital region at GB‐14, ascends and curves across the side of the head to GB‐20 below the occiput, crosses the top of the shoulder via GB‐21 and SJ‐15 to meet with the spine at

DU‐14, passes laterally via BL‐11 to SI‐12 then anteriorly to enter the supraclavicular fossa at

ST‐12.A branch emerges behind the ear and enters the ear at SJ‐17, emerges in front of the ear and passes via SI‐19 and ST‐7 to the outer canthus, descends to the corner of the jaw near ST‐5, crosses the Sanjiao channel and rises to the infraorbital region, and meets with BL‐1, descends to the neck, passing near ST‐6 and intersecting ST‐9 to rejoin the main

channel in the supraclavicular fossa, descends into the chest, meeting with the Pericardium channel at P‐1, crosses the diaphragm, connects with the Liver and unites with the Gall Bladder, continues along the inside of the ribs to emerge in the inguinal region, encircles the genitals, runs superficially along the margin of the pubic hair then

enters deeply to emerge at the sacral region where it meets the Bladder channel at Baliao (the four points of the sacral foramina) and the Governing vessel at DU‐1,

emerges on the buttock at GB‐30.Another branch descends from the supraclavicular fossa to the anterior aspect of the axilla, then

passes through GB‐22, GB‐23 and GB‐24, intersects the Liver channel at LIV‐13, descends to the hip joint to meet the previous branch at GB‐30 and continues down

the lateral aspect of the thigh and knee, descends along the lateral aspect of the lower leg to the anterior aspect of the

lateral malleolus, follows the dorsal surface of the foot along the groove between the fourth and fifth

metatarsals to end on the lateral side of the tip of the fourth toe at GB‐44.Another branch separates on the foot at GB‐41 and runs between the first and second metatarsal

bones to the medial tip of the big toe then through the toenail to link with the Liver channel.

Connected organs: Liver, Gall Bladder

Meeting points: ST‐7, ST‐8, ST‐9, ST‐12, SI‐12, SI‐19, BL‐1, BL‐11, BL‐31, BL‐32, BL‐33, BL‐34, P‐1, SJ‐15, SJ‐17, SJ‐20, SJ‐22, LIV‐13, DU‐1, DU‐14

Note: DU‐20 is classified as a meeting point of the Gall Bladder channel with the Governing vessel but is not conventionally shown as such on illustrations of the Gall Bladder primary channel.



THE LIVER PRIMARY CHANNEL

THE LIVER PRIMARY CHANNEL originates at the lateral aspect of the dorsum of the big toe at LIV‐1, and runs along

the foot to LIV‐4, 1 cun anterior to the medial malleolus, ascends along the medial aspect of the lower leg, intersecting the Spleen channel at

SP‐6, then continues to ascend anterior to the Spleen channel to an area 8 cun above the medial malleolus, where it crosses and continues posterior to the Spleen channel up to the knee and the medial aspect of the thigh,

continues to the pubic region via SP‐12 and SP‐13 where it encircles the genitals, then ascends to enter the lower abdomen where it intersects the Conception vessel at REN‐2, REN‐3 and REN‐4,

continues upwards to curve round the Stomach before entering the Liver and connecting with the Gall Bladder,

crosses the diaphragm and spreads in the costal and hypochondriac region, ascends along the neck and posterior aspect of the throat to the nasopharynx to link

with the tissues surrounding the eye (the 'eye system'), ascends across the forehead to the vertex where it intersects with the Governing

vessel at DU‐20.A branch descends from the eye system through the cheek and encircles the inner surface of

the lips.Another branch separates from the Liver, crosses the diaphragm and spreads in the Lung, meeting

with P‐1.

Connected organs: Stomach, Liver, Gall Bladder, Lung

Meeting points: SP‐6, SP‐12, SP‐13, REN‐2, REN‐3, REN‐4, P‐1, DU‐20



The primary channels:

Enters Connects Some primary channels connect

its pertaining organ its paired organ more than two organs

ENTERS CONNECTS ALSO CONNECTS

EARTH

CIRCUIT

LU LU LI

LI LI LU

ST ST SP

SP SP ST

HEAVEN

CIRCUIT

HT HT SI

SI SI HT

UB UB KD

KD KD UB

HUMAN

CIRCUIT

PC PC SJ

SJ SJ PC

GB GB LV

LV LV GB



Documents

THE 12 PRIMARY CHANNELS · THE 12 PRIMARY CHANNELS 十二正經(십이정경) Source text: A Manual of Acupuncture The images are courtesy of A Manual of Acupuncture. The primary