acu w/ point location 1; dk1

Introduction to the Meridian System

What are the four major types of meridians

• Primary Meridians

• Luo Connecting Channels

• Divergent Channels

• Sinew Channels

What does Jing Luo (经络) mean?

Jing = "to go through" or "thread in a fabric"

Luo = "something that connects or attaches" or "a ne

How does the lecture define meridians?

Meridians are channels or pathways that carry Qi and Blood through the body. They are not blood vessels, but an invisible lattice linking together the body's fundamental tissues and organs

What are the four functions of the meridians?

• Transport Qi and Blood

• Protect the body

• Respond to dysfunction in the body

• Transmit Qi to diseased areas

List the meridian system from most superficial to deepest

• Cutaneous regions

• Minute collaterals

• Sinew (muscle) channels

• Luo-connecting channels

• Primary channels

• Divergent channels

• Extraordinary channels

• Deep pathways of the primary & divergent channels

How many of each type of meridian are there?

• 12 Cutaneous Regions

• Innumerable Minute Collaterals

• 12 Sinew (Muscle) Regions

• 15 Luo Connecting Channels

• 12 Primary Meridians

• 12 Divergent Channels

• 8 Extraordinary Vessels 

Which Yin-Yang pair belongs to the Metal element?

Lung (LU) — Hand Taiyin (Yin)

Large Intestine (LI) — Hand Yangming (Yang) 

Which Yin-Yang pair belongs to the Earth element?

Spleen (SP) — Foot Taiyin

Stomach (ST) — Foot Yangming

Which Yin-Yang pair belongs to the Fire element?

Heart (HT) — Hand Shaoyin

Small Intestine (SI) — Hand Taiyang

Pericardium (PC) — Hand Jueyin

San Jiao (SJ) — Hand Shaoyang 

Which Yin-Yang pair belongs to the Water element?

Kidney (KD) — Foot Shaoyin

Urinary Bladder (UB/BL) — Foot Taiyang 

Which Yin-Yang pair belongs to the Wood element?

Liver (LV) — Foot Jueyin

Gallbladder (GB) — Foot Shaoyang

What are the three circuits of the 12 primary meridians?

Circuit 1: Lung → Large Intestine → Stomach → Spleen

Circuit 2: Heart → Small Intestine → Urinary Bladder → Kidney

Circuit 3: Pericardium → San Jiao → Gallbladder → Liver