8 Extraordinary Vessels Flashcards
Governing Vessel (Du Mai)
Runs along the back up the head and neck
Governs Qi of the YANG meridians
Functions of the extraordinary channels
Used as a reservoir of energy for the 12 regular meridians (will accept excess and give when deficient)
Link between Pre-heaven Qi and Post-heaven Qi - derived from kidney essence and circulate it through their channels (work w/ regular channels to create this connection)
Circulate defensive Qi in thorax, abdomen, and back (in space btw mm and skin)
Regulation of 7 (women) and 8 (men) year cycles
THEREFORE:
- Regulates flow
- Regulates excess yin/yang
- Links yin/yang channels
- Balances left/right, front/back, int/ext etc.
Conception vessel (Ren Mai)
Runs along anterior midline from abdomen to mandible
Governs Qi of the YIN meridians
Penetrating vessel (Chong Mai)
Runs parallel to Kd meridian and ends in infraorbital ridge
Reservoir of Qi and blood for the 12 meridians
Belt Vessel (Dai Mai)
Runs horizontally from hypochondrium around the waist
Functions to regulate all meridians like a girdle since the other extra meridians run vertically
Yang Heel Vessel (Yang Qiao Mai)
Begins in lateral heel and runs along UB meridian of the foot and stops in the inner can thus of eye before terminating at GB 20
Regulates motor activity and movement of lower limbs
Yin Heel Vessel (Yin Qiao Mai)
Begins in medial heel and runs along Kd meridian of foot and terminates in inner canthus of eye.
Regulates motor activity and movement of lower limbs
Yang Linking Vessel (Yang Wei Mai)
Begins in outer aspect of foot and follows the GB meridian of leg terminating at GV 15
Dominate the exterior and connect with the yang channels (homeostatic for yang and yin in body)
Yin Linking Vessel (Yin Wei Mai)
Begins in medial aspect of the leg and travels along Sp meridian of leg and terminates at CV 23 in throat
Dominates the interior and connects with the yin channels. (homeostatic for yang and yin in body)
