The Twelve Meridians
The meridian system is basically constructed by channels and collaterals, which join together and form a giant body web for distribution, communication and transmission. There are twelve channel meridians that make up the skeleton of the meridian system, known as the regular or principal meridians. They are the main pathways for qi (vital energy) and blood circulation inside the body.
The twelve meridians include three arm yin meridians (lung, pericardium, heart), three arm yang meridians (large intestine, triple burner, small intestine), three leg yang meridians (stomach, gall bladder, bladder), and three leg yin meridians (spleen, liver, kidney). The triple burner and the pericardium do not refer to anatomical structures. They are functional units in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It should also be noted, the organs mentioned here have a much broader meaning in TCM then what is typically thought of their functions in western medicine.
The twelve meridians start and end at specific body locations, their pathways and interconnections are in precise manners, also each of the meridian branches out to connect an internal organ directly. In this chapter, it is important to grasp their start and end points, main pathways on body surface, the major branches and the corresponding organs and tissues.
The twelve meridians include three arm yin meridians (lung, pericardium, heart), three arm yang meridians (large intestine, triple burner, small intestine), three leg yang meridians (stomach, gall bladder, bladder), and three leg yin meridians (spleen, liver, kidney). The triple burner and the pericardium do not refer to anatomical structures. They are functional units in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It should also be noted, the organs mentioned here have a much broader meaning in TCM then what is typically thought of their functions in western medicine.
The twelve meridians start and end at specific body locations, their pathways and interconnections are in precise manners, also each of the meridian branches out to connect an internal organ directly. In this chapter, it is important to grasp their start and end points, main pathways on body surface, the major branches and the corresponding organs and tissues.
1. Arm Tai Yin Lung Meridian
2. Arm Yang Ming Large Intestine Meridian
3. Leg Yang Ming Stomach Meridian
4. Leg Tai Yin Spleen Meridian
5. Arm Shao Yin Heart Meridian
6. Arm Tai Yang Small Intestine Meridian
7. Leg Tai Yang Bladder Meridian
8. Leg Shao Yin Kidney Meridian
9. Arm Jue Yin Pericardium Meridian
10. Arm Shao Yang Triple Burner Meridian
11. Leg Shao Yang Gall Bladder Meridian
12. Leg Jue Yin Liver Meridian
