Extraordinary Vessels

Question 1

What are the 8 Extraordinary Vessels & their Confluent Points?

Answer 1

1. Conception Vessel (REN) = LU7
2. Governing Vessel (DU) = SI3
3. Penetrating Vessel (Chong) = SP4
4. Girdling Vessel = GB41
5. Yin Motility = KD6
6. Yang Motility = BL62
7. Yin Linking = P6
8. Yang Linking = SJ5

Question 2

The Conception Vessel (Ren Mai)

Answer 2

• ascends along the anterior midline
• related to the uterure & GYN organs
• “sea of yin” channels & regulates qi of all yin channels
• LU7 = retention of lochia & dead fetus, pain of genitals & urinary disorders

Question 3

The Governing Vessel (Du Mai)

Answer 3

• ascends along the spinal colum from the coccyx to the head
• governs all the yang channels
  
  • links all yang channels at DU14
• SI3 = distal point for occipital HA, stiffness + pain of neck, scapula & upper or lumbar spine
  
  • expel febrile disease (malaria, exterior wind-cold/heat)
  • channel enters brain = epilepsy

Question 4

The Yin Motility Vessel (Yin Qiao Mai)

Answer 4

• medial leg, throat, brain, inner canthus
• connects KD & BL channels &w cominates quietness
• KD6 = chronic throat disorders, eye disorders, daytime epilepsy, tightness & contraction of inner leg

Question 5

The Yin Linking Vessel (Yin Wei Mai)

Answer 5

• originates at the medial side of the leg at KD-9
• “when the yin lining is diseases, HT pain will result”
  
  • chest pain & fullness + pain of lateral costal region
• connects the Kidney, Spleen and Liver channels and the Conception Vessel and it is said to dominate the interior of the whole body
• PC6 = pain of the HT & chest, pain in lateral costal region

Question 6

The Penetrating Vessel (Chong Mai)

Answer 6

• links the ST and KD channels as well as strengthening the link between the Ren and Du
• known as the “Sea of Blood”
• when diseased, counterflow qi and abdominal urgency will occur = acute cramping abdominal pain, usually associated with dysenteric disorder
• SP4 = is indicated for rebellion of Stomach Qi manifesting as vomiting and sudden turmoil disorder.

Question 7

The Yang Motility (Yang Qiao Mai)

Answer 7

• transverses lateral side of the body & head - connects w/ GB at GB20 & enters brain at DU16
• indicated for insomnia
• connects the BL, GB, SI, LI and ST channels and is said to dominate activity (outer)
• BL62 = exterior wind with stiff neck & HA, interior wind up to brain w/ deviation, windstroke & eppilepsy

Question 8

The Yang Linking (Yang Wei Mai)

Answer 8

• links all the yang channels of the body, including the Governing vessel
  
  • The Yang Linking vessel connects theBL, GB, SJ, SI, ST channels and the DU and is said to dominate the exterrior of the whole body.
• SJ5 = is an important point to dispel pathogenic factors from the exterior (yang) portion of the body
  
  • Forehead (yangming), Temporal (shaoyang), occipital (taiyang), and Governing (vertex).

Question 9

The Girdling Vessel (Dai Mai)

Answer 9

• Originates in the region of LV13 encircles the body at the waist, binding the vertical paths of the twelve primary channels in general and the Penetrating and Conception vessels and the kidney, Liver and Spleen channels in particular.
• GB41 = distention and pain of the breast, breast abscess, menstrual disorders and inhibited menstruation, and is particularly used in situations where LV qi stagnation impairs the smoothness and regularity of the menstrual cycle.