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12 REGULAR MERIDIANS
CHANNEL ABBREVIATION
HANDBOOK LU LI ST SP HT SI UB KD PC SJ GB LV RN DU
CAM LU LI ST SP HT SI BL KI PC TE GB LR CV GV
FCM LU LI ST SP HE SI BL KI P TB GB LIV REN DU
MNL LU LI ST SP HE SI BL KID P SJ GB LIV REN DU
SGH L LI S Sp H SI B K P TB GB Li Co Gv
CA Board L LI S Sp H SI B K P SJ G Liv Ren Du
CHANNEL FLOW LANDSCAPE
THREE CIRCUITS CHEST HAND FACE FOOT CHEST YIN-YANG IDENTITY
1st Circuit EARTH 地(지) LU LI ST SP Taiyin Yangming
2nd Circuit HEAVEN 天(천) HT SI UB KD Shaoyin Taiyang
3rd Circuit HUMAN 人(인) PC SJ GB LV Jueyin Shaoyang
YANGMING: MORE QI, MORE BLOOD / JUEYIN & TAIYANG: MORE
BLOOD, LESS QI / TAIYIN, SHAOYIN & SHAOYANG: MORE QI, LESS
BLOOD
BODY LANDSCAPE
CROSSING POINTS CAM, MNL, WEB
CROSSING POINTS ORGANEARTH
LU No crossing point LU, LI, (ST)
LI SI12, DU14, ST4, ,IL62UD LU
ST LI20, UB1, DU26, RN24, GB3, GB6, GB4, DU24, DU14, RN13, RN12
ST, SP
SP RN3, RN4, RN10, GB24, LV14, ,PS1UL ST, (HT)
HEAVEN
HT No crossing point HT, SI, (LU)
SI UB41, UB11, DU14, RN17, RN13, RN12, GB1, SJ22, ,IS1BU HT,
(ST)
UB DU24, GB15, DU20, GB7, GB8, GB10, GB11, GB12, DU17, DU14,
DU13, GB30 UB, KD
KD SP6, DU1, RN3, RN4 KD, UB, LV, LU, HT
HUM
AN
PC No crossing point PC, SJ
SJ SI12, DU14, GB21, (RN17), GB6, GB4, GB3, SI18, SI19, ,JS1BG
PC
GB ST8, SJ22, SJ20, (SI17), DU14, UB11, SI12, SJ17, SI19, ST7,
ST5, ST6, (LV13), (UB31-34) GB, LV
LV SP6, SP13, SP12, RN2, RN3, RN4, ,VL02UD GB, (LU, ST)
CHANNEL PATHWAYS Page 1
HANDBOOK OF O.M. (pp.127-134) (c) HB Kim,
www.AcupunctureMedia.com
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CROSSING POINTS COMPREHENSIVE CHART CAM, MNL,
WEB
POINT CHANNEL
REN
RN1 DU, CHONGRN2 LVRN3 ∙ 4 SP, KD,
LVRN7 (CHONG)RN10 SPRN12 ∙ 13 ST, SIRN17 SI,
SJRN22 ∙ 23 YIN WEIRN24 ST
DU
DU1 KDDU4 (CHONG, DAI)DU13 UBDU14
6 YANG CHANNELSDU15
YANG WEIDU16 YANG WEI, (YANG QIAO)DU17
UBDU20 UB, LVDU24 ST, UBDU26 LI, STDU28 REN
LU LU1 SP
LILI15 YANG QIAOLI16 YANG QIAOLI20 ST
ST
ST1 REN, YANG QIAOST3 YANG QIAOST4 LI,
YANG QIAOST5 ∙ 6 ∙ 7 GBST8 GB,
(YANG WEI)ST12 LI, ST, SI, SJ,
GB, YIN QIAOST30 CHONG
SP
SP1 (CHONG)SP6 KD, LVSP10 (CHONG)SP12 LV, (YIN
WEI)SP13 LV, YIN WEISP15 ∙ 16 YIN
WEI
POINT CHANNEL
HT ☺ NO CROSSING POINTS
SI
SI10 YANG QIAO, YANG WEISI12 LI,
SJ, GBSI17 GBSI18 SJSI19 SJ, GB
UB
UB1 ST, SI, YANG QIAO, YIN
QIAOUB11 SI, GBUB12 DUUB23 (DAI)UB31‐34 GBUB41 SIUB59
∙ 61 ∙ 62 YANG QIAOUB63 YANG WEI
KDKD6 ∙ 8 YIN QIAOKD9 YIN WEIKD11‐21
CHONG
PC ☺ NO CROSSING POINTS
SJ
SJ15 YANG WEISJ17 GBSJ20 GBSJ22 SI, GB
GB
GB1 SI, SJGB3 ∙ 4 ∙ 6 ST,
SJGB7 ∙ 8 ∙ 10 ∙ 11 ∙ 12
UBGB13‐20 YANG WEIGB15 UB, YANG WEIGB20
YANG QIAO, YANG WEIGB21 SJ, YANG
WEIGB24 SPGB26‐28 DAIGB29 YANG QIAOGB30 UBGB35 YANG
WEI
LVLV1 (CHONG)LV13 GBLV14 SP, YIN WEI
BOLD: The points
in bold font are academically
important crossing points.(Parenthesis):
Not all texts agree on the
meridians in parenthesis.
DISTRIBUTIONVertex LV, UB
Origin
LU: Middle Jiao (RN12)Eye LV,
HT(eye→brain) ST: LI20Both Canthus SI HT:
HeartEar SI, SJ, GB KD: Beneath
little toe
Gums Upper Gum: ST PC: Chest Lower
Gum: LI Genital LV
Supraclavicular fossa All Yang channels
except UB Tail bone KDCrossing diaphragm
All channels except UB Sacral foramen
UB, GBMany organs KD: KD, UB,
LV, LU, HT Heel KDMany Front‐Mu SP:
RN3, RN4, GB24, LV14, LU1 Tibial
branch of ST End at lateral
side of middle toeImportant Exit
Points LU7, ST42, KD22, PC8,
SJ22, GB41 Important Crossing Crossing
Points Chart (pg.128)
CHANNEL PATHWAYS Page 2
HANDBOOK OF O.M. (pp.127-134) (c) HB Kim,
www.AcupunctureMedia.com
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EARTH CIRCUIT : LU LI ST SP
LU MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. The LU Meridian originates in the middle por n of
the body cavity2. and runs downward, internally, to connect with
the LI. 3. Turning back, it passes upward through the diaphragm 4.
to enter its pertaining organ, the LU. 5. From the internal zone
between the Lungs and the
throat, it emerges to the surface of the body under the
clavicle.
6. Descending, the LU Meridian then runs along the medial aspect
of the upper arm to reach the elbow crease.
7. From there, it runs along the anterior of the forearm,
8. passes above the major artery of the wrist, and emerges at
the radial side of the p of the thumb.
9. Another se on of the LU Meridian branches off just above the
wrist and runs directly to the radial side of the p of the index
finger to connect with the LI Meridian.
▲ CROSSING POINTS : No crossing point
LI MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. The LI Meridian begins at the p of the index
finger
and runs upward along the radial side of the index finger and
between the thumb and index finger.
2. It passes through the depression between the tendons of the
thumb and then con nues upward along the lateral aspect of the
forearm to the lateral side of the elbow.
3. From there, it ascends along the anterior border of the upper
arm (△SI12, △DU14)
4. to the highest point of the shoulder. 5. On top of the
shoulder, the Meridian divides into two
branches.6. The first of these branches enters the body and
passes
through the LU, 7. diaphragm, and the LI, its pertaining organ.
8. The second of these branches ascends externally along
the neck, 9. passes through the cheek, and enters, internally,
the
lower teeth and gum. (△ST4)10. On the exterior, it c nues,
curving around the
upper lip and crossing to the opposite side of the nose.
(△DU26)
▲ CROSSING POINTS : SI12, DU14, ST4, DU26
4
5
3
1
9
7
8
9
2
6
6
54
8
7
3
2
1
9 10
CHANNEL PATHWAYS Page 3
HANDBOOK OF O.M. (pp.127-134) (c) HB Kim,
www.AcupunctureMedia.com
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ST MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. The ST Meridian begins, internally, where the LI
Meridian terminates, next to the nose. It then ascends to the
bridge of the nose, meeting the Bladder Meridian at the inner
corner of the eye, and emerging under the eye. (△LI20, △UB1)
2. Descending from there, lateral to the nose, it enters the
upper gum
3. and curves around the lips before passing along the side of
the lower jawbone and through the angle of the jaw. (△DU26,
△RN24)
4. It then turns upward, running in front of the ear to the
corner of the forehead. (△GB3,6,4, △DU24)
5. A branch descends from the lower jaw, (△DU14) 6. enters the
body, and descends through the diaphragm.
It then enters its pertaining organ, the ST, and connects with
the SP. (△RN13,12)
7. Another branch leaves the lower jaw, but remains on the
surface of the body as it crosses over the neck, chest,
8. and abdomen, and terminates in the groin. 9. Internally, the
Meridian reconstitutes itself at the lower
end of the ST and descends inside the abdomen to reconnect with
the external branch in the groin.
10. From this point, the Meridian runs downward over the front
of the thigh
11. to the outer side of the knee, and continues along the
center of the front of the lower leg to reach the top of the foot.
It terminates at the lateral side of the tip of the second toe.
12. A branch deviates from the Stomach Meridian just below the
knee and ends at the lateral side of the middle toe.
13. A short branch also leaves from the top of the foot and
terminates at the medial side of the big toe to connect with the SP
Meridian.
▲ CROSSING POINTS : LI20, UB1, DU26, RN24, GB3,6,4, DU24, DU14,
RN13,12
SP MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. The SP Meridian originates at the medial side of
the
big toe. It then runs along the inside of the foot, turning in
front of the inner ankle bone.
2. From there, it ascends along the posterior surface of the
lower leg
3. and the medial aspect of the knee and thigh 4. to enter the
abdominal cavity. (△RN3,4, △RN10) 5. It runs internally to its
pertaining organ, the SP, 6. and connects with the ST. 7. The main
Meridian continues on the surface of the
abdomen, running upward to the chest, (△GB24, △LV14, △LU1)
8. where it again penetrates internally to follow the throat
9. up to the root of the tongue, where it spreads over its lower
surface.
10. An internal branch leaves the ST, passes upward through the
diaphragm, and enters into the HT, where it connects with the HT
Meridian.
▲ CROSSING POINTS : RN3,4, RN10, GB24, LV14, LU1
13
7
5
11
12
4
3
5
8
10
9
6
7
89
10
5
1
6
3
2
CHANNEL PATHWAYS Page 4
HANDBOOK OF O.M. (pp.127-134) (c) HB Kim,
www.AcupunctureMedia.com
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HEAVEN CIRCUIT : HT SI UB KD
HT MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. The HT Meridian has three branches, each of which
begins in the HT. 2. One branch runs downward through the
diaphragm to
connect to the SI. 3. A second branch runs upward from the HT
along the
side of the throat to meet the eye. 4. The third branch runs
across the chest from the Heart
to the LU, then descends and emerges in the underarm.
5. It passes along the midline of the inside of the upper
arm,
6. runs downward across the inner elbow, along the midline of
the inside of the forearm,
7. crosses the wrist and palm, and terminates at the inside p of
the li le finger, where it connects with the SI Meridian.
▲ CROSSING POINTS : No crossing point
SI MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. The SI Meridian begins on the outside of the p of
the li e finger, crosses the palm and wrist, 2. and passes
upward along the posterior aspect of the
forearm. 3. The Meridian con nues upward along the posterior
border of the lateral aspect of the upper arm, 4. circles behind
the shoulder, and runs to the center of
the uppermost part of the back (where it meets the DU Meridian).
(△UB41, △UB11, △DU14)
5. Here, the Meridian divides into two branches, one entering
internally
6. to connect with the HT, (△RN17)7. diaphragm, and ST,
(△RN13,12)8. before entering its pertaining organ, the SI. 9. The
second branch ascends along the side of the neck 10. to the cheek
11. and outer corner of the eye before entering the ear.
(△GB1, △SJ22)12. A short branch leaves the Meridian on the cheek
and
runs to the inner corner of the eye, where it connects with the
Bladder Meridian. (△UB1)
▲ CROSSING POINTS : UB41, UB11, DU14, RN17,13,12, GB1, SJ22,
UB1
3
1
4
2
5
6
9
5
6
7
8
10
11
3
2
1
4
CHANNEL PATHWAYS Page 5
HANDBOOK OF O.M. (pp.127-134) (c) HB Kim,
www.AcupunctureMedia.com
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UB MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. The UB Meridian starts at the inner side of the
eye
and ascends across the forehead to the vertex of the head.
(△DU24, △GB15, △DU20)
2. From this point, a small branch splits off and enters into
the brain, (△GB7,8,10,11,12)
3. while the main Meridian es to descend along the back of the
head (△DU17)
4. and bifurcates at the back of the neck. 5. The inner of these
two branches descends a short
distance to the center of the base of the neck, (△DU14,13)
6. then descends parallel to the spine. 7. A branch splits off,
entering the body in the lumbar
region and conn ng to the KD8. and its pertaining organ, the UB.
9. The outer branch traverses the back of the shoulder,10. descends
adjacent to the inner branch and the spinal
cord, and crosses the ocks. (△GB30)11. The two branches nue
downward, descend the
posterior aspect of the thigh, and join behind the knee.
12. The single Meridian now c nues down the back of the lower
leg, circles behind the outer ankle,
13. runs along the outside of the foot, and terminates on the
lateral side of the p of the small toe, where it connects with the
KD Meridian.
▲ CROSSING POINTS : DU24, GB15, DU20, GB7,8,10,11,12, DU17,
DU14,13, GB30
KD MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. The KD Meridian starts from the inferior aspect of
the
small toe, runs across the sole of the foot, 2. and emerges
along the arch of the foot to circle
behind the inner ankle and pass through the heel. 3. It then
ascends the medial side of the lower leg to
the medial side of the knee crease, (△SP6)4. climbs upward along
the innermost aspect of the thigh, 5. and penetrates the body near
the base of the spine.
(△DU1)6. This branch connects internally with the KD, its
pertaining organ, 7. and with the UB, 8. before returning to the
surface of the abdomen above
the pubic bone and running upward over the abdomen and chest.
(△RN3,4)
9. Another branch begins inside at the KD, passes upwardthrough
the LV and diaphragm, and enters the LU.
10. This branch c nues along the throat and terminates at the
root of the tongue.
11. A smaller branch leaves the LU, joins the HT, and flows into
the chest to connect with the PC Meridian.
▲ CROSSING POINTS : SP6, DU1, RN3,4
13
12
11
6
10
95
23
4
7
8
1
3
4
8
1
2
11
7
5
10
6
9
CHANNEL PATHWAYS Page 6
HANDBOOK OF O.M. (pp.127-134) (c) HB Kim,
www.AcupunctureMedia.com
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HUMAN CIRCUIT : PC SJ GB LV
PC MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. Beginning in the chest and in its pertaining organ,
the
PC, 2. this Meridian descends through the diaphragm to link
the Upper, middle, and Lower portions of the SJ. 3. A second
internal branch of the Meridian crosses the
chest, emerging to the surface at the area of the ribs. 4. The
Meridian then ascends around the armpit 5. and continues down the
medial aspect of the upper
arm to the elbow crease. 6. It runs further down the forearm 7.
to the palm of the hand, ending at the tip of the
middle finger. 8. A short branch splits off from the palm to
connect
with the SJ Meridian at the end of the ring finger.
▲ CROSSING POINTS : No crossing point
SJ MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. Beginning at the outside tip of the ring finger, the
SJ
Meridian proceeds over the back of the hand 2. and wrist to the
forearm. 3. It runs upward, passing around the outer elbow,
along
the lateral aspect of the upper arm, 4. to reach the posterior
shoulder region. (△SI12, △DU14)
5. From here, the Meridian travels over the shoulder and enters
into the chest underneath the breastbone. (△GB21)
6. An internal branch passes from this point through the PC,
penetrates the diaphragm, (△RN17)
7. and then proceeds downward to unite the Upper, Middle, and
Lower Burners.
8. Another, exterior branch ascends toward the shoulder and runs
internally up the neck.
9. It reaches the posterior border of the ear 10. and then
interiorly circles the face. (△GB6,4,3) 11. A short branch
originates behind the ear, penetrates
the ear, and emerges in front of the ear to reach the outer end
of the eyebrow and connect to the GB Meridian. (△SI19, △GB1)
▲ CROSSING POINTS : SI12, DU14, GB21, (RN17), GB6,4,3, SI18,
SI19, GB1
1
2
6
7
8
5
43
8
11
7
6
10
2
1
5
4
3
9
CHANNEL PATHWAYS Page 7
HANDBOOK OF O.M. (pp.127-134) (c) HB Kim,
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GB MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. The GB Meridian begins at the outer corner of the
eye, where two branches arise. 2. One branch, remaining on the
surface, weaves back
and forth on the lateral aspect of the head before curving
behind the ear to reach the top of the shoulder. (△ST8, △SJ22,
△SJ20, △SI17, △DU14, △UB11, △SI12) (Ear branch : △SJ17, △SI19,
△ST7)
3. It then con nues downward, passing in front of the
underarm
4. and along the lateral aspect of the rib cage to reach the hip
region.
5. The second branch internally traverses the cheek (△ST5,6)
6. and proceeds internally through the neck 7. and chest to
reach the LV (△LV13)8. and its pertaining organ, the GB. 9.
downward, this branch emerges on the side
of the lower abdomen, where it connects with the other branch in
the hip area. (△UB31,32,33,34)
10. The Meridian then descends along the lateral aspect of the
thigh
11. and knee to the side of the lower leg and further downward
in front of the outer ankle.
12. It crosses the top of the foot and terminates at the lateral
side of the p of the fourth toe.
13. A branch leaves the Meridian just below the ankle to cross
over the foot to the big toe, where it connects with the LV
Meridian.
▲ CROSSING POINTS : ST8, SJ22, SJ20, (SI17), DU14, UB11, SI12,
SJ17, SI19, ST7, ST5, ST6, (LV13), (UB31,32,33,34)
LV MERIDIAN PATHWAY
PATHWAY1. Beginning on the top of the big toe, the LV
Meridian
traverses the top of the foot, 2. ascending in front of the
inner ankle and along the
medial aspect of the lower leg and knee. (△SP6)3. It runs co
nuously along the medial aspect of the
thigh (△SP13,12)4. to the pubic region, where it encircles the
external
genitalia before entering the lower abdomen. (△RN2,3,4)
5. It ascends internally, 6. connects with its pertaining organ,
the LV, 7. and with the GB, and underneath the ribs 8. before
pouring into the LU, where it connects with the
LU Meridian. 9. The en cycle of the Meridian system begins
anew
here. Recon tu ng itself, the Meridian follows the trachea
upward to the throat
10. and connects with the eyes. Two branches leave the eye
area:
11. One descends across the cheek to encircle the inner surface
of the lips;
12. a second branch ascends across the forehead to reach the
vertex of the head.
▲ CROSSING POINTS : SP6, SP13,12, RN2,3,4, DU20
3
6
5
2
1
10
9
84
7
12 13
11
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
9
7
10
12
11
(△DU20)
CHANNEL PATHWAYS Page 8
HANDBOOK OF O.M. (pp.127-134) (c) HB Kim,
www.AcupunctureMedia.com