Difficulty 28

The eight extraordinary vessels, not being constrained by the twelve regular meridians, where do they each originate and where do they connect?

Answer: The Governing Vessel originates from the point below the coccyx (Changqiang point), ascends along the interior of the spine, reaches the Fengfu point, enters and belongs to the brain. The Conception Vessel originates below the Zhongji point, ascends past the edge of the pubic hair, travels along the interior of the abdomen, passes through the Guanyuan point, and reaches the throat. The Penetrating Vessel originates at the Qichong point, runs parallel with the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian, ascends flanking the navel, reaches the chest, and then disperses. The Belt Vessel originates at the upper flanks and encircles the waist one full turn. The Yang Heel Vessel originates at the center of the heel, ascends along the outer ankle, and enters the Fengchi point. The Yin Heel Vessel also originates at the center of the heel, ascends along the inner ankle, reaches the throat, and intersects and communicates with the Penetrating Vessel. The Yang Linking Vessel and the Yin Linking Vessel connect and link the entire body, but when qi and blood accumulate and overflow, they cannot circulate and irrigate the various meridians. Therefore, the Yang Linking Vessel originates at the meeting points of all the yang meridians. The Yin Linking Vessel originates at the meeting points of all the yin meridians. This is like a sage designing and digging irrigation channels; when the water in the channels overflows, it flows into deep lakes, and thus even the sage cannot constrain its flow. Similarly, when the qi and blood of the body's meridians are abundant, they overflow and enter the eight extraordinary vessels, no longer circulating throughout the entire body, so the twelve regular meridians cannot constrain them either. If these eight extraordinary vessels are invaded by pathogenic qi, the accumulated pathogens will cause swelling and heat, and treatment can be performed by piercing with a stone needle to release blood.