Pathological Manifestations of the Fifteen Collaterals

Each of the fourteen meridians ( i.e. the twelve regular meridians, the Ren Meridian and Du Meridian, has a collateral, and in addition there is the Major Collateral of the spleen. They branch off from their respective meridians on the four extremities and circulate over the body surface. They function to strengthen the relation between each pair of externally and internally related meridians and transport qi and blood to various tissues and organs of the human body. Supplementary to the pathological manifestations of the meridians, the pathological manifestations of the collaterals are listed below.

• The Collateral of Hand - Taiyin - Heat sensations in the wrist and palm, shortness of breath, enuresis and frequent urination.
• The Collateral of Hand - Shaoyin - Fullness in the chest and diaphragm and aphasia.
• The Collateral of Hand - Jueyin - Cardiac pain and mental restlessness.
• The Collateral of Hand - Yangming - Toothache, deafness, a cold sensation in the teeth, and a stifling sensation in the chest and diaphragm.
• The Collateral of Hand - Taiyang - Weakness of joints, muscular atrophy and motor impairment of the elbow, and warts on the skin.
• The Collateral of Hand - Shaoyang - Spastic or flaccid cubital joint.
• The Collateral of Foot - Yangming - Depressive and manic mental disorders, muscular atrophy and weakness in the lower leg, congested and sore throat, and sudden hoarseness of voice.
• The Collateral of Foot - Taiyang - Nasal obstruction, watery nasal discharge, headache, pain in the back and epistaxis.
• The Collateral of Foot - Shaoyang - Coldness in the foot, paralysis of the lower limbs and inability to stand erect.
• The Collateral of Foot - Taiyin - Abdominal spasm, and cholera with vomiting and diarrhoea.
• The Collateral of Foot - Shaoyin - Retention of urine, lumbago, mental restlessness and stifling sensation in the chest.
• The Collateral of Foot - Jueyin - Priapism, pruritus in the public region, swelling of the testes and hernia.
• The Collateral of Ren Meridian - Distending pain and pruritus of abdominal skin tissues.
• The Collateral of the Du Meridian - Stiffness of the spinal column, a heavy sensation in the head, and tremor of the head.
• The Major Collateral of the Spleen - General aching, and weakness of the joints of the four limbs