Bone Measurements

The Yellow Emperor asked Bo Gao: “In the chapter ‘Measurement of Vessels,’ the lengths of the conduits are discussed. On what basis are these determined?” Bo Gao replied: “First, measure the size, width, and length of the bone joints; then the lengths of the conduits can be established.” The Yellow Emperor said: “I wish to hear the standard bone measurements for an average person. For a person whose height is seven feet five inches, what are the lengths and sizes of his bone joints?” Bo Gao said: “The largest circumference of the skull is two feet six inches; the chest circumference is four feet five inches; the waist circumference is four feet two inches. The area covered by hair, from the crown to the nape, is one foot two inches. From below the hair to the chin, it is one foot. For a person of refined bearing (referring to one with well-aligned bones), the hair length is subtracted in this calculation. From the laryngeal prominence to the supraclavicular fossa (Quepen), the distance is four inches. From the supraclavicular fossa to the xiphoid process (Huoyu, the sternal xiphoid), the distance is nine inches. If this exceeds nine inches, the lung is large; if it is less, the lung is small. From the xiphoid process to the Tianshu point (two cun lateral to the navel), the distance is eight inches. If this exceeds eight inches, the stomach is large; if it is less, the stomach is small. From the Tianshu point to the pubic bone (Henggu, the pubic symphysis), the distance is six and a half inches. If this exceeds six and a half inches, the large intestine (Huichang) is broad and long; if it is less, the large intestine is narrow and short. The length of the pubic bone itself is six and a half inches. From the upper edge of the pubic bone to the upper edge of the medial condyle of the femur (Neifu gu), the distance is one foot eight inches. From the upper edge to the lower edge of the medial condyle of the femur, the distance is three and a half inches. From the lower edge of the medial condyle of the femur to the medial malleolus (Neihuai), the distance is one foot three inches. From the medial malleolus to the ground, the distance is three inches. From the popliteal fossa behind the knee to the tarsal bones (Fushu gu) of the foot, the distance is one foot six inches. From the tarsal bones to the ground, the distance is three inches. Therefore, when the bone circumference is large, it exceeds the standard; when it is small, it falls short of the standard. From the two frontal angles (Jiao) to the pillar bone (Zhugu, the cervical vertebrae), the distance is one foot. The bone that runs under the armpit and is not visible (referring to the area within the shoulder joint) measures four inches. From the armpit to the floating ribs (Jixie), the distance is one foot two inches. From the floating ribs to the hip joint (Bishu, the hip pivot), the distance is six inches. From the hip joint to the middle of the knee, the distance is one foot nine inches. From the knee to the lateral malleolus (Waihuai), the distance is one foot six inches. From the lateral malleolus to the Jinggu (the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal on the lateral side of the foot), the distance is three inches. From the Jinggu to the ground, the distance is one inch. Behind the ear, at the mastoid process (Wangu), the width is nine inches. In front of the ear, at the ear gate (Ermen), the width is one foot three inches. Between the two cheekbones (Quangu), the distance is seven inches. Between the two nipples, the width is nine and a half inches. Between the two hip bones (the greater trochanters of the femur, Bi), the width is six and a half inches. The length of the foot is one foot two inches, and its width is four and a half inches. From the shoulder joint to the elbow joint, the distance is one foot seven inches; from the elbow joint to the wrist joint, the distance is one foot two and a half inches. From the wrist joint to the metacarpophalangeal joint of the middle finger (Benjie), the distance is four inches. From this joint to the tip of the middle finger, the distance is four and a half inches. From the hairline at the back of the neck down to the dorsal bone (the first thoracic vertebra), the distance is two and a half inches. From the spine (Lü gu) down to the coccyx (Weidi gu), there are twenty-one segments in total, with a length of three feet. The upper segments each measure one cun and one quarter of a fen (i.e., one cun, one fen, and four li), and the remainder is distributed among the lower segments. Thus, the upper seven segments, up to the spine (Dazhui, the great vertebra), measure nine cun and seven-eighths of a fen (i.e., nine cun, eight fen, seven li, and five hao).

The above are the standard measurements of the bone joints for an average person, used as the basis for establishing the lengths of the conduits. Therefore, when observing the manifestations of the conduits on the body, if the vessel is floating and firm, or if it is clearly visible and large, it is a sign of abundant blood; if the vessel is fine and deep-lying, it is a sign of abundant qi.