Network vessel

Branches of the channels that enmesh the body.

1. In a broader sense, network vessel denotes any of the fifteen network vessels, the network vessels (in the narrower sense), and grandchild network vessels. Fourteen vessels connect the twelve regular channels, and the governing dū and controlling (rèn) vessels. These together with the great network vessel of the spleen constitute the fifteen network vessels (also called diverging network vessels).
2. In the narrow sense, network vessel denotes the branches of the fifteen network vessels, which enmesh the whole body, the smaller branches of which are known as the grandchild network vessels.
3. Network vessel also denotes any of the small branches of the network vessels in the body's surface that are more precisely termed superficial network vessels. Thus network vessel pricking means pricking of the superficial network vessels, which in this context are often referred to as blood network vessels.

NB: While the superficial network vessels are actual blood vessels, other parts of the channel and network vessel system have no clear correspondence to the circulation system described by modern anatomy since the pathways of qì and blood were never clearly distinguished.