Twelve meridians
The twelve regular meridians and the Ren and Du vessels, with their organs, times of flow and courses. Diagrams are schematic.
| Twelve meridians | Type | Organ | Time of flow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin | Hand-Taiyin | Lung | Yin hour (3–5 a.m.) |
| Large Intestine Meridian of Hand-Yangming | Hand-Yangming | Large intestine | Mao hour (5–7 a.m.) |
| Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming | Foot-Yangming | Stomach | Chen hour (7–9 a.m.) |
| Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin | Foot-Taiyin | Spleen | Si hour (9–11 a.m.) |
| Heart Meridian of Hand-Shaoyin | Hand-Shaoyin | Heart | Wu hour (11 a.m.–1 p.m.) |
| Small Intestine Meridian of Hand-Taiyang | Hand-Taiyang | Small intestine | Wei hour (1–3 p.m.) |
| Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang | Foot-Taiyang | Bladder | Shen hour (3–5 p.m.) |
| Kidney Meridian of Foot-Shaoyin | Foot-Shaoyin | Kidney | You hour (5–7 p.m.) |
| Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin | Hand-Jueyin | Pericardium | Xu hour (7–9 p.m.) |
| Triple Energizer Meridian of Hand-Shaoyang | Hand-Shaoyang | Triple burner | Hai hour (9–11 p.m.) |
| Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang | Foot-Shaoyang | Gallbladder | Zi hour (11 p.m.–1 a.m.) |
| Liver Meridian of Foot-Jueyin | Foot-Jueyin | Liver | Chou hour (1–3 a.m.) |
| Conception Vessel (Ren Mai) | Extraordinary vessel | — | — |
| Governing Vessel (Du Mai) | Extraordinary vessel | — | — |
Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin (LU)
Course：Starting in the middle burner and belonging to the lung, it leaves the upper chest, runs down the front and outer (radial) side of the upper arm and forearm, and ends at Shaoshang on the radial side of the thumb.
Traditionally associated with：Cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and aching in the front of the shoulder and the front-outer forearm.
Large Intestine Meridian of Hand-Yangming (LI)
Course：Starting at Shangyang on the radial side of the index finger, it runs up the back of the hand and the outer front edge of the forearm and upper arm to the shoulder, passes the neck and cheek, and ends beside the nostril at Yingxiang.
Traditionally associated with：Toothache, nasal congestion, throat discomfort, constipation, and pain along the outer arm and shoulder.
Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming (ST)
Course：Starting beside the nose, passing Chengqi under the eye, it runs along the face and neck, down the front of the chest and abdomen, along the front of the thigh and the outer front edge of the lower leg, and ends at Lidui on the second toe.
Traditionally associated with：Stomach discomfort, bloating, facial and forehead discomfort, and pain in the front of the thigh and knee.
Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin (SP)
Course：Starting at Yinbai on the inner side of the big toe, it runs up the inner foot, lower leg and inner thigh, enters the abdomen to belong to the spleen, and continues up to the chest and ribs.
Traditionally associated with：Bloating, poor digestion, fatigue, and heaviness along the inner leg.
Heart Meridian of Hand-Shaoyin (HT)
Course：Starting in the heart, it emerges at Jiquan in the armpit, runs down the back edge of the inner upper arm and forearm, and ends at Shaochong on the radial side of the little finger.
Traditionally associated with：Palpitations, chest tightness, insomnia, and discomfort along the back edge of the inner arm.
Small Intestine Meridian of Hand-Taiyang (SI)
Course：Starting at Shaoze on the ulnar side of the little finger, it runs up the outer back edge of the arm to the shoulder blade, passes the side of the neck, and ends at Tinggong in front of the ear.
Traditionally associated with：Pain in the shoulder blade and side of the neck, tinnitus, and discomfort along the outer back edge of the arm.
Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang (BL)
Course：Starting at Jingming at the inner eye corner, it goes over the top of the head and runs down the neck and both sides of the back (beside the spine), passes the buttock and the back of the thigh to the popliteal fossa, runs down the back of the lower leg, and ends at Zhiyin on the little toe.
Traditionally associated with：Headache and neck stiffness, back and low back ache, sciatic-like discomfort, and tightness at the back of the lower leg.
Kidney Meridian of Foot-Shaoyin (KI)
Course：Starting at Yongquan on the sole, it winds behind the inner ankle, runs up the back edge of the inner lower leg and thigh, enters the abdomen to belong to the kidney, and rises beside the front midline to Shufu below the collarbone.
Traditionally associated with：Low back ache, heel pain, tinnitus, night urination, and fatigue.
Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin (PC)
Course：Starting in the chest and belonging to the pericardium, it runs down the midline of the inner upper arm and forearm, passes Laogong in the palm, and ends at Zhongchong on the middle finger.
Traditionally associated with：Chest tightness, irritability, and discomfort in the palm and inner forearm.
Triple Energizer Meridian of Hand-Shaoyang (TE)
Course：Starting at Guanchong on the ulnar side of the ring finger, it runs up the middle of the back of the hand and the outer forearm, passes the shoulder and side of the neck, winds behind the ear, and ends at Sizhukong at the outer end of the eyebrow.
Traditionally associated with：Tinnitus, migraine, and aching along the outer shoulder and arm.
Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang (GB)
Course：Starting at Tongziliao beside the outer eye corner, it winds around the ear, runs down the side of the neck and body (ribs and hip), along the outer thigh and lower leg, and ends at Qiaoyin on the fourth toe.
Traditionally associated with：Migraine, pain in the side of the neck and ribs, and tightness of the hip and outer thigh.
Liver Meridian of Foot-Jueyin (LR)
Course：Starting at Dadun on the outer side of the big toe, it runs up the top of the foot, the lower leg and the inner thigh, circles the genitals, enters the abdomen to belong to the liver, and ends below the nipple at Qimen.
Traditionally associated with：Distending pain in the ribs, emotional tension, dry eyes, and discomfort in the lower abdomen and inner thigh.
Conception Vessel (Ren Mai) (CV)
Course：Starting at Huiyin between the genitals and anus, it runs up the front midline and ends at Chengjiang below the lower lip.
Traditionally associated with：Traditionally associated with discomfort along the midline of the abdomen and chest.
Governing Vessel (Du Mai) (GV)
Course：Starting at Changqiang at the tip of the tailbone, it runs up the back midline of the spine, passes over the top of the head, and ends at Yinjiao on the inner upper gum.
Traditionally associated with：Traditionally associated with discomfort along the midline of the spine, head and neck.