Primary Channel

Question 1

What is the pathway for the Lung Primary Channel “Hand TaiYin”

Answer 1

1. Originates in the middle jiao, in the region of the Stomach
2. Descends to connect with the Large Intestine
3. Returns upwards to pass the cardiac orifice of the Stomach and traverses the diaphragm
4. Penetrates the Lung
5. Ascends to the throat region
6. Passes obliquely downwards towards Zhōngfǔ LU-1 where the channel emerges
7. Ascends one rib space to Yúnmén LU-2 in the centre of the hollow of the delto-pectoral triangle
8. Descends along the antero-lateral aspect of the upper arm, lateral to the Heart and Pericardium channels, to the cubital fossa of the elbow at Chǐzé LU-5,
9. Passes along the antero-lateral aspect of the forearm towards the styloid process of the radius,
10. follows the lateral border of the radial artery to the wrist at Tàiyuān LU-9,
11. Traverses the thenar eminence to terminate at the radial side of the thumbnail at Shàoshāng LU-11.
12. A branch separates from the main channel at Lièquē LU-7, at the styloid process, and travels directly to the radial side of the tip of the index finger, where it links with the Large Intestine channel at Shāngyáng L.I.-1.

Question 2

What is the pathway for the Large Intestine Primary Channel “Hand YangMing”

Answer 2

1. Begins at the radial side of the tip of the index finger,
2. Runs proximally along the radial side of the index finger and passes through the interspace between the first and second metacarpal bones at Hégǔ L.I.-4,
3. Reaches the depression between the tendons of extensor pollicis longus and brevis (anatomical snuff-box) where Yángxī L.I.-5 is situated,
4. Continues along the lateral aspect of the forearm to the lateral aspect of the elbow at Qūchí L.I.-11,
5. Rises along the lateral aspect of the upper arm to the shoulder joint at Jiānyú L.I.-15,
6. Crosses behind the shoulder to the depression between the scapular spine and the lateral extremity of the clavicle (Jùgǔ L.I.-16),
7. Travels in a medial direction, passing through Bǐngfēng SI-12 (in the centre of the suprascapular fossa) to Dàzhuī DU-14 (just below the spinous process of the vertebra of C7) where it meets with the other five yang channels of the hand and foot,
8. From Dàzhuī DU-14 it enters the supraclavicular fossa in the region of Quēpén ST-12 and connects with the Lung before descending through the diaphragm to join with the Large Intestine,
9. Another branch ascends from the supraclavicular fossa along the lateral aspect of the neck, passes through the cheek, and enters the lower gums,
10. From the gums the channel passes through Dìcāng ST-4, curves around the upper lip and crosses to the opposite side of the body at Rénzhōng DU-26, at the philtrum,
11. From Rénzhōng DU-26, the left channel travels to the right and the right channel travels to the left to terminate either side of the nose at Yíngxiāng L.I.-20,
12. At Yíngxiāng L.I.-20 the Large Intestine channel joins with the Stomach channel.
13. According to the Spiritual Pivot1 a branch of the Large Intestine primary channel descends to Shàngjùxū ST-37