Yáng springing vessel

One of the eight extraordinary vessels. Abbreviation: YAS. A vessel that runs from the heel up the outside of the leg and trunk up to the eye, and that is responsible for the opening and closing of the eyes and for muscular movement in general.

Pathway: The yáng springing yáng qiāo vessel starts below the lateral malleolus at BL-62 (Extending Vessel, 申脉 shēn mài) and runs up the lateral aspect of the trunk, gradually curving around posteriorly to the lateral aspect of the shoulder. It crosses over the shoulder to the front of the body, then runs up the neck, over the jaw, past the corners of the mouth to the inner canthus of the eye. From here it joins with the yīn springing yīn qiāo vessel and the foot greater yáng (tài yáng) bladder channel to run up the forehead and over the lateral aspect of the head to GB-20 (Wind Pool, 风池 fēng chí) posterior to the mastoid process, before entering the brain at GV-16 (Wind Mansion, 风府 fēng fǔ).

Functions: The main physiological functions of both the yáng springing vessels (as the yīn springing vessels) are to control the opening and closing of the eyes, control the ascent of fluids and the descent of qì, and to regulate muscular activity in general.

Signs: Disease signs associated with the yáng springing yáng qiāo vessel include eye diseases, dry and itching eyes, insomnia, lack of agility, lumbar pain, spasm along the lateral aspect of the lower extremity, with corresponding flaccidity along its medial aspect. Compare yīn springing vessel.