The Eight Extra Meridians refer to the Governor Vessel Meridian, Conception Vessel Meridian, Thoroughfare Vessel Meridian, Girdling Vessel Meridian, Yin Link Vessel Meridian, Yang Link Vessel Meridian, Yin Heel Vessel Meridian and Yang Heel Vessel Meridian. Unlike the Twelve Regular Meridians, their distribution is not as regular, and they don’t have direct connections with the internal organs. They also don’t have paired relationship with each other, and hence they are named the “extraordinary” or “extra.”

The eight extra meridians intersect with the twelve regular meridians; their main function is to strengthen the links between the meridians and act as reservoirs of fundamental substances, buffering the circulation of blood and qi (vital energy). The extra meridians work closely with the liver and kidney organs, as well as with the uterus, brain, and marrow, which influence these structures physiologically and pathologically.

Along the eight extra meridians, Governor Vessel Meridian and Conception Vessel Meridian have their own specific acupuncture points. Traditionally, they are considered alongside the twelve regular meridians, collectively referred to as the “Fourteen Meridians.” The others extra meridians only have confluent points, where intersected with the twelve regular meridians. These points are crucial for communicating with the other meridians, enhancing their regulatory functions. 

Thoroughfare Vessel Meridian 

Pathway: Thoroughfare Vessel Meridian starts from the perineum and then divides into three branches. One branch ascends along the anterior wall of the abdominal cavity, merges with the Kidney meridian, disperses in the chest, and then ascends through the throat to encircle the lips. Another branch ascends along the posterior wall of the abdominal cavity, traveling within the spine. The third branch descends along the inner side of the thigh to the web between the big toe and middle one. 

The Thoroughfare Vessel Meridian extends from head to feet, traversing the entire body. It plays a crucial role in governing and regulating the qi and blood activities inside the twelve regular meridians, hence it is known as the “Sea of the Twelve Meridians” or the “Sea of Blood.” The meridian is also closely associated to the blood supply of the uterus and menstruation in women. Additionally, it helps regulate the qi movements of certain internal organs, primarily the liver, kidney, and stomach.

The confluence points along the Thoroughfare Vessel Meridian include: hui yin (Cv1), qi chong (St30), heng gu (Ki11), da he (Ki12), qi xue (Ki13), si man (Ki14), zhong zhu (Ki15), yin jiao (Cv7), huang shu (Ki16), shang qu (Ki17), shi guan (Ki18), yin du (Ki19), fu tong gu (Kl20), & you men (Kl21).



Thoroughfare Vessel Meridian and Girdling Vessel Meridian

Girdling Vessel Meridian 

Pathway: Girdling Vessel Meridian starts below the rib side, descends obliquely to the dai mai acupoint, and encircles the waist. 

The Girdling Vessel Meridian connects and binds the vertical meridians of the trunk, promoting their interconnected relationship. It also plays a role in stabilizing the fetus and control vaginal discharge in women.

The confluence points along the Girdling Vessel Meridian include: dai mai (Gb26), wu shu (Gb27 ) & wei dao (Gb28). 

Yin Link Vessel and Yang Link Vessel Meridians 

Pathway: Yin Link Vessel and Yang Link Vessel Meridians start from the foot or lower leg, run upward to the head or facial region. 

The Yin Link Vessel links up the body’s yin meridians to communication with the Conception Vessel; the Yang Link Vessel links up the body’s yang meridians to communicate with the Governor Vessel. The Yin and Yang Link Vessel Meridians govern the interior and exterior of the body respectively, working together to regulate and store qi and blood. 

The Yin Link Vessel has several intersecting points known as “confluence points;” including zhu bin (Ki9), chong men (Sp12), fu she (Sp13), da heng (Sp15), fu ai (Sp16), qi men (Lr14), tian tu (Cv22) & lian quan (Cv23).

The confluence points along the Yang Link Vessel include: jin men (Bl63), yang jiao (Gb35), nao shu (Si10), tian liao (Sj15), jian jing (Gb21), tou wei (St8), ben shen (Gb13), yang bai (Gb14), tou lin qi (Gb15), mu chuang (Gb16 ), zheng ying (Gb17), cheng ling (Gb18), nao kong (Gb19 ), feng chi (Gb20), feng fu (Gv16) & ya men (Gv15).



Yin Link Vessel and Yang Link Vessel Meridians

 

Yin Heel Vessel and Yang Heel Vessel Meridians

Pathway: Yin Heel Vessel and Yang Heel Vessel Meridians start from the ankles and run upward to the head or facial region. 

The Yin and Yang Heel Vessels connect with the heels, eyes and brain. They dominate the activity and rest of the body, control body movements and sleep.

The confluence points along the Yin Heel Vessel include: zhao hai (Ki6), jiao xin (Ki8) & jing ming (Bl1).

The confluence points along the Yang Heel Vessel include: shen mai (Bl62), pu can (Bl61), fu yang (Bl59), ju liao (Gb29 ), nao shu (Si10), jian yu (Li15), ju gu (Li16), tian liao (Sj15), di cang (St4), ju liao (St3), cheng qi (St1) & jing ming (Bl1).

Yin Heel Vessel and Yang Heel Vessel Meridians

 

Conception Vessel Meridian 

Pathway: Conception Vessel Meridian starts from the perineum, runs up along the midline of the abdomen and chest, reaches the throat, ascends to encircle the lips, passes through the face, and enters below the eye sockets.

The Conception Vessel Meridian is often referred to as the “Sea of Yin Meridians,” which intersects multiple times with the three yin meridians of the arms and feet, and also the Yin Link Vessel meridian. It governs all the yin meridians in the body. The meridian also connects with the uterus and is associated with the conception in women.