Eight extraordinary vessels

Also extraordinary vessels. Eight major pathways of the channel system other than the twelve regular channels, so called because, unlike the twelve channels, they do not home to any organs and have no exterior-interior relationships. Their function is to supplement any insufficiencies of the twelve channels and to provide additional links between different parts of the body.

Of the eight extraordinary vessels, only the governing (dū) and controlling (rèn) vessels have their own acupoints. The others share points with other channels and vessels. All the channels and vessels that have their own points, namely the twelve regular channels and the governing and controlling vessels, are known collectively as the fourteen channel-vessels.

Note that according to one tradition the extraordinary vessels should not be needled. However, it is does not reflect the acupuncture traditions of China, Japan or Korea.

• Governing vessel
• Controlling vessel
• Thoroughfare vessel
• Girdling vessel
• Yīn springing vessel
• Yáng springing vessel
• Yīn linking vessel
• Yīn linking vessel

Etymology

Chin 奇 qí, extraordinary, strange, wondrous; 经 jīng, channel; 八 bā, eight; 脉 mài, vessel, pulse; line, range.