The fifteen collaterals

The Fifteen collaterals include the twelve collaterals separating from the twelve regular meridians, the collaterals of the Ren and Du and the major collateral of the spleen. They are distributed superficially over the four limbs and in the anterior, posterior and lateral aspects of the body. Their function is to connect the externally - internally related meridians and transport the local qi and blood so as to promote the free circulation of qi and blood of the meridians.

The distribution of the fifteen collaterals may be summarized as follows :

• Each of the collaterals has a Luo ( Connecting ) point, pertaining to the meridian where it derives. The collaterals on the four limbs not only run to the externally - internally related meridians but also possess other tributaries. The collaterals on the trunk and collateral of the Ren Meridian disperse in the abdominal region.
• The Collateral of Du Meridian disperses in the head and joins with the Bladder Meridian on the back. The major collateral of the spleen disperses in the chest and hypochondrium. All the collaterals possess the function of transporting qi to different parts of the body. Besides, there are many smaller branches and subbranches which are called Minute Collaterals and Superficial Collaterals respectively.
• These Minute and Superficial Collaterals are distributed all over the body, possessing the function of transporting qi and blood to the body surface.

The Three Yin Collaterals of the Hand

• The Collateral of the Lung Meridian of Hand Taiyun It arises from Lieque ( L 7 ) and runs to the Large Intestine Meridian of Hand Yangming. Another branch follows the Lung Meridian of Hand Taiyin into the palm of the hand and spreads through the thenar eminence.
• The Collateral of the Heart Meridian of Hand Shaoyln It branches out at Tongli ( H 5 ) . One cun above the transverse crease of the wrist, it connects with the Small Intestine Meridian of Hand Taiyang. About one and a half cun above the wrist, it again follows the meridian and enters the heart ; it then runs to the root of the tongue and connects with the eye.
• The Collateral of Pericardium Meridian " of Hand Jueyin It begins from Neiguan ( P 6 ) . Two cun above the wrist disperses between the two tendons and runs along the Pericardium Meridian to the Pericardium, and finally connects with the heart.

The Three Yang Collaterals of Hand

• The Collateral of the Large Intestine Meridian of Hand Vangming It starts from Pianli ( L 16 ) and joins the Lung Meridian of Hand Taiyin three cun above the wrist. Another branch runs along the arm to Jianyu ( LI 15 ) , crosses the jaw and extends to the teeth. Still another branch derives at the jaw and enters the ear to join the Chong Meridian.

• The Collateral of the Small Intestine Meridian of Hand Taiyang It originates from Zhizheng ( SI 7 ) . Five cun above the wrist, it connects with the Heart Meridian. Another branch runs upward, crosses the elbow and connects with Jianyu ( LI 15 ) .
• The Collateral of the Sanjiao Meridian ofHand Shaoyang It arises from Waiguan ( SI 5 ) , two cun above the dorsum of the wrist, it travels up the posterior aspect of the arm and over the shoulder, disperses in the chest, converging with the Pericardium Meridian.

The Three Yang Collaterals of Foot

• The Collateral of the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming It starts from Fenglong ( S 40 ) , eight cun above the external malleolus, it connects with the Spleen Meridian. A branch runs along the lateral aspect of the tibia upward to the top of the head, and converges with the other Yang Meridians on the head and neck. From there it runs downward to connect with the throat.
• The Collateral of the Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang It arises from Feiyang ( B 58 ) , seven cun above the external malleolus, it connects with the Kidney Meridian.
• The Collateral of the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot Shaoyang It begins from Guangming ( G 37 ) , five cun above the external malleolus, it joins the Liver Meridian, and then runs downward and disperses over the dorsum of the foot.

The Three Yin Collaterals of Foot

• The Collateral of the Spleen Meridian of Foot Taiyin It branches out at Gongsun ( Sp 4 ) , one cun posterior to the base of the first metatarsal bone, and then joins the Stomach Meridian. A branch runs upward to the abdomen and connects with the stomach and intestines.
• The Collateral of the Kidney Meridian of Foot Shaoyin It originates from Dazhong ( K 4 ) on the posterior aspect of internal malleolus, it crosses the heel, and joins the Bladder Meridian. A branch follows the Kidney Meridian upward to a point below the pericardium and then pierces through the lumbar vertebrae.
• The Collateral of the Liver Meridian of Foot Joeyin It starts from Ligou ( Liv 5 ) , five cun above the internal malleolus and connects with the Gallbladder Meridian. A branch runs up the leg to the genitals.

The Collateral of the Ren Meridian It separates from the Du Meridian at the lower end of the sternum. From Jiuwei ( Ren 15 ) ,it spreads over the abdomen.

The Collateral of Du Meridian arises from Chaileqiang ( Du l ) in the perineum, runs upward along both sides of the spine to the nape, and spreads over the top of the head. When it gets to the scapular regions, it connects with the Bladder Meridian and pierces through the spine.

The Major Collateral of the Spleen It begins from Dabao ( Sp 21 ) , emerges at three cun below Yuanye ( G 22 ) and spreads through the chest and hypohondriac region, gathering the blood all over the body.