Fifteen network vessels

Also fifteen diverging network vessels (十五别络 shí wǔ bié luò); diverging network vessels (别络 bié luò); great network vessels (大络 dà luò). See network vessel.

The fifteen largest of network vessels, each branching off from one of the twelve channels and from the governing dū vessel and controlling (rèn) vessels, and also including the great network vessel of the spleen (脾之大络 pí zhī dà luò). The Classic of Difficult Issues (难经 nàn jīng, 23) states, The fifteen diverging network vessels all return to their origins, as in a ring without end, pouring from one to next; they face the inch opening [wrist pulse] and man’s prognosis rén yíng, where the hundred illnesses can be determined and [a person’s] death or survival can be judged. See network vessel.

• The divergent network vessels of the twelve channels separate from the main pathway below the elbow or knee. They connect exterior-interior paired channels. However, although they enter the chest and abdomen to connect with the internal organs, no connections of fixed location like the netting and homing relations of the main channel pathways are identified. Rather, the connections rest more heavily on the links between the network vessels of the yīn and yáng channel in the upper and lower limbs. This is the basis of the notion that one network vessel connects two channels.
• The divergent network vessel of the governing (dū) vessel separates from GV-1 (cháng qiáng) spreads over the head and follows the foot greater yáng (tài yáng) bladder channel on the left and right side of the body. It distributes qì and blood over the back.
• That of the controlling (rèn) vessel separates at CV-15 (jiū wěi) to spread over the abdomen. It distributes qì and blood over the chest and abdomen.
• The great network vessel of the spleen separates at SP-21 (大包 dà bāo) and spreads over the chest. It distributes qì and blood over the trunk.

The fifteen divergent network vessels differ from other branches of the fourteen channel-vessels. They are mentioned in the Nèi Jīng as each having a set of symptoms associated with their disturbances. They are also unique in that they each depart from the home channel at an acupuncture point. These points, termed network points (络穴 luò xué), are used to treat diseases involving the yīn-yáng organ pairs or the disorders associated with the network vessel. However, in modern Chinese textbooks, the network vessels themselves are not discussed in detail. For more about network points, see point selection.

Hand Greater yīn (tài yīn) LU Network Vessel

This network vessel separates from the main channel in the cleft in the flesh one and a half cùn above the wrist (LU-7, liè quē) and goes to the wrist joint. From a point half a cùn behind the wrist, it proceeds to the hand yáng brightness (yáng míng) large intestine channel. At the same point, a branch follows the primary lung channel to the inner palm and disperses over the fish border (i.e., the area around LU-10, yú jì).

Hand yáng brightness (yáng míng) LI Network vessel

This divergent network vessel separates from the primary channel 3 cùn proximal to the wrist at LI-6 and branches to the lung channel. Another branch separates from the primary channel at the same point and rises up the arm, passes through the shoulder region and proceeds to the corner of the jaw, from where it separates into two branches. One branch spreads over the teeth and another enters the ear to unite with the channels of the gallbladder, triple burner, small intestine, and stomach.

Foot yáng brightness (yáng míng) ST Network Vessel

This divergent network vessel separates from the primary channel at ST-40 (fēng lóng) and connects to the foot greater yīn (tài yīn) spleen channel. Another branch begins at the same point (ST-40, fēng lóng) and ascends the lateral aspect of the lower leg and up the upper leg and trunk to the crown of the head where it unites with the other yáng channels above and connects with the throat and the upper opening of the esophagus below.

Foot Greater yīn (tài yīn) SP Network Vessel

This vessel separates from the primary channel at SP-4 and connects to the foot yáng brightness (yáng míng) stomach channel. A branch ascends to connect to the intestines and stomach.

Hand Greater yáng (tài yáng) SI Network Vessel

This network vessel separates from the primary channel and SI-7 and connects to the hand lesser yīn (shào yīn) heart channel. A branch also proceeds up the arm past the elbow and connects to the top of the shoulder (near LI-15, jiān yú).

Foot Greater yáng (tài yáng) BL Network Vessel

This network vessel breaks from the primary channel at BL-58 and connects to the foot lesser yīn (shào yīn) kidney channel.

Foot Lesser yīn (shào yīn) Network Vessel

The network vessel leaves the primary channel at KI-4 (dà zhōng), behind the medial malleolus and skirts the heel before connecting to the foot greater yáng (tài yáng) bladder channel. A branch follows the primary channel to the region below the pericardium and from there it proceeds down to connect to the lumbar vertebrae.

Hand Reverting yīn (jué yīn) PC Network Vessel

The pericardium network vessel separates from the primary channel at PC-6 (nèi guān) and travels to the hand lesser yáng (shào yáng) triple burner channel. It also follows the primary channel upward to the pericardium and then connects to the heart.

Hand Lesser yáng (shào yáng) TB Network Vessel

After separating from the primary channel at TB-5 (wài guān), this network vessel winds up the arm, flows into the chest, and unites with the pericardium.

Foot Lesser yáng (shào yáng) GB Network Vessel

This divergent network vessel separates from the primary channel at GB-37 (guāng míng) 5 cùn above the lateral malleolus and branches to the foot reverting yīn (jué yīn) liver channel. It also connects downward to the dorsal aspect of the foot.

Foot Reverting yīn (jué yīn) LR Network Vessel

This vessel separates from the primary channel at LR-5 (lǐ gōu) and connects to the foot lesser yáng (shào yáng) gallbladder channel. A branch follows the primary channel up to bind at the genitals.

Governing Vessel Network Vessel

Breaking from the governing vessel at GV-1 (cháng qiáng), this network vessel forms two branches that ascend on either side of the spine to the nape of the neck. These branches then disperse over the head.

In the region of the scapula, branches of the network vessel connect to the foot greater yáng (tài yáng) bladder channel and also penetrate into the paravertebral sinews.

Controlling Vessel Network Vessel

This network vessel separates from the primary channel at CV-15 (jiū wěi) and disperses downward over the abdomen.

Great Network Vessel of the Spleen

This network vessel issues from 3 cùn below the axilla and spreads over the chest and rib-side.

Note that there is also a great network vessel of the stomach (胃之大络 wèi zhī dà luò). This runs from the stomach through the diaphragm, connects with the lung, and then turns outward to surface below the left breast at Vacuous Lǐ, the apical pulse.