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Chapter 3 of 16
奇经八脉考
Holistic Paraphrase
The Yang Linking Vessel originates at the "Confluence of All Yang" (the place where the yang qi of the human body converges). Its vessel qi emerges from the Jinmen point (BL 63) of the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang, located 1.5 cun below the external malleolus. The vessel qi travels upward to a point 7 cun above the external malleolus, where it intersects with the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang at the Yangjiao point (GB 35); Yangjiao is the Xi-Cleft point (the deep gathering site of meridian qi and blood) of the Yang Linking Vessel, located 7 cun above the external malleolus, running obliquely between the Foot-Taiyang and Foot-Shaoyang meridians. It then ascends along the lateral border of the knee, passes through the upper thigh (biyan), and reaches the lateral lower abdomen, where it intersects with the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang at the Juliao point (GB 29); Juliao is located 8 cun below Zhangmen (LR 13), in the depression above the ilium. From there, it runs obliquely upward along the lateral costal region to the area above the elbow, where it intersects with the Large Intestine Meridian of Hand-Yangming, the Small Intestine Meridian of Hand-Taiyang, and the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang at the Binao point (LI 14); Binao is located 7 cun above the elbow, in the depression between two tendons, 1 cun below Jianyu (LI 15). It then passes in front of the shoulder and intersects with the Sanjiao Meridian of Hand-Shaoyang at the Naohui point (TE 13) and the Tianliao point (TE 15); Naohui is located on the anterior border of the shoulder, 3 cun from the shoulder tip, in a soft depression, and Tianliao is located above the supraclavicular fossa, in the center of the depression at the upper border of the scapula. It then turns to the posterior shoulder and intersects with the Small Intestine Meridian of Hand-Taiyang and the Yang Heel Vessel at the Naoshu point (SI 10); Naoshu is located below the large bone at the posterior shoulder, in the depression at the upper border of the scapula. Continuing upward behind the ear, it intersects with the Sanjiao Meridian of Hand-Shaoyang and the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang at the Fengchi point (GB 20); Fengchi is located in the depression at the hairline behind the ear. It continues upward through the Naokong point (GB 19; 1.5 cun posterior to Chengling, in the depression below the occipital bone), the Chengling point (GB 18; 1.5 cun posterior to Zhengying), the Zhengying point (GB 17; 1 cun posterior to Muchuang), the Muchuang point (GB 16; 1 cun posterior to Linqi), and the Linqi point (GB 15; directly above the pupil, 0.5 cun within the hairline, in a depression). It then descends to the forehead, where it intersects with the Hand-Shaoyang, Foot-Shaoyang, Hand-Yangming, and Foot-Yangming meridians—five meridians in total—at the Yangbai point (GB 14); Yangbai is located 1 cun above the eyebrow, directly aligned with the pupil. It then travels along the head to connect with the ear, ascending to terminate at the Benshen point (GB 13); Benshen is located directly above the ear tip, at the hairline. The intersection points of the Yang Linking Vessel total thirty-two points on both sides combined.
The Yang Linking Vessel is one of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. Its core function is to "maintain and connect all the yang meridians," governing the exterior of the body. It originates from the Jinmen point of Foot-Taiyang and, along its course, intersects with multiple yang meridians including Foot-Shaoyang, Hand-Yangming, Hand-Taiyang, Hand-Shaoyang, and Foot-Yangming, forming a network that links the yang qi of the lateral body, the posterior body, and the head. Its pathway is characterized by ascending from the lateral aspect of the lower limbs, passing through the lateral costal region, shoulder, and neck, and finally distributing over the head and face, presenting a trajectory of "from below to above, from posterior to anterior, from the exterior into the head." The ancients held that disorders of the Yang Linking Vessel are mostly associated with exterior patterns, chills and fevers, and discomfort of the head, neck, shoulders, and back—hence the saying, "Disease of the Yang Linking Vessel manifests as suffering from chills and fever." These understandings reflect the traditional Chinese medical approach of using meridians to connect the yang qi of the body surface and explain the body's defensive functions.
From a modern viewpoint, the pathway of the Yang Linking Vessel overlaps to a certain extent with the myofascial chains, cutaneous nerve distribution zones, and the lateral aspects of the lower limbs, lateral abdomen, costal region, shoulder girdle, neck, and head. The acupoints listed are mostly located in intermuscular spaces, between bones, or in depressions beside tendons—"reactive points" that can be perceived through palpation. Modern research often explains acupoint stimulation from the perspectives of nerves, blood vessels, and fascia, yet it still cannot directly confirm the existence of "meridians" as independent anatomical structures. The concept of the Yang Linking Vessel "maintaining the yang and governing the exterior" can be viewed as the ancients' empirical summary of the body's superficial defensive functions and the coordination of lateral force lines. This has cultural value and historical significance but should not be conflated with modern medical concepts.
The Yang Linking Vessel runs along the lateral aspect of the body, governing the exterior and defending against external pathogens. Daily attention may include:
The above are general lifestyle recommendations only and are not directed at any specific disease.
— Bù Guā This content is based on classic Chinese medicine texts and is provided solely for the study and appreciation of traditional culture. It does not constitute any medical diagnosis, prescription, or treatment advice. If you feel unwell, please seek medical attention promptly.