The meridian system (simplified Chinese: 经络; traditional Chinese: 經絡; pinyin: jīngluò, also called channel network) is a concept in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) about a path through which the life-energy known as “qi” flows.1 The twelve standard meridians, also called principal meridians, are divided into Yin and Yang groups. The Yin meridians of the arm are Lung, Heart, and Pericardium. The Yang meridians of the arm are Large Intestine, Small Intestine, and Triple Burner. The Yin Meridians of the leg are Spleen, Kidney, and Liver. The Yang meridians of the leg are Stomach, Bladder, and Gall Bladder.2
The eight extraordinary meridians are of pivotal importance in the study of Qigong, T’ai chi ch’uan and Chinese alchemy.3 These eight extra meridians are different to the standard twelve organ meridians in that they are considered to be storage vessels or reservoirs of energy and are not associated directly with the Zang Fu, i.e. internal organs.
The eight extraordinary vessels are (奇經八脈; qí jīng bā mài):4
Conception Vessel (Ren Mai) – 任脈 [rèn mài], Governing Vessel (Du Mai) – 督脈 [dū mài], Penetrating Vessel (Chong Mai) – 衝脈 [chōng mài], Girdle Vessel (Dai Mai) – 帶脈 [dài mài], Yin linking vessel (Yin Wei Mai) – 陰維脈 [yīn wéi mài], Yang linking vessel (Yang Wei Mai) – 陽維脈 [yáng wéi mài], Yin Heel Vessel (Yin Qiao Mai) – 陰蹻脈 [yīn qiāo mài], Yang Heel Vessel (Yang Qiao Mai) – 陽蹻脈 [yáng qiāo mài].
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Governing Vessel (GV) is one of the Eight Extra Meridians. Of the eight, Governor Vessel, Conception Vessel and Thoroughfare Vessel all originate in the uterus and emerge from the perineum and are therefore called three meridians sharing the same origin.
GV has a close relation with the six yang meridians (including Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian of the Hand, Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian of the Hand, Yangming Large Intestine Meridian of the Hand, Shaoyang Gall Bladder Meridian of the Foot, Taiyang Bladder Meridian of the Foot, Yangming Stomach Meridian of the Foot). It regulates the qi of the yang meridians of the entire body, and is called the sea of yang meridians.
Conception Vessel and Governing Vessel have their own points and are grouped with the twelve main meridians as the fourteen main meridians.5
CONTENTS
ACUPOINTS
FLOWING ROUTES
ACUPOINTS
The Governing Vessel contains 28 acupoints.
GV-1
Location: Midway between the tip of the coccyx and the anus, locating the point in prone position.
Indications: Diarrhea, bloody stools, hemorrhoids, prolapse of the rectum, constipation, pain in the lower back, epilepsy.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-0.1 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Vasculature: The branches of the inferior hemorrhoid artery and vein.
Innervation: The posterior ramus of the coccygeal nerve, the hemorrhoid nerve.
GV-2
Location: In the hiatus of the sacrum.
Indications: Irregular menstruation, pain and stiffness of the lower back, hemorrhoids, muscular atrophy of the lower extremities, epilepsy.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture obliquely upward 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Vasculature: The branches of the median sacral artery and vein.
Innervation: The branch of the coccygeal nerve.
GV-3
Location: Below the spinous process of the fourth lumbar vertebra, at the level with the crista iliaca.
Indications: Irregular menstruation, nocturnal emission, impotence, pain in the lumbosacral region, muscular atrophy, motor impairment, numbness and pain of the lower extremities.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Vasculature: The posterior branch of the lumbar artery.
Innervation: The medial branch of the posterior ramus of the lumbar nerve.
GV-4
Location: Below the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra.
Indications: Stiffness of the back, lumbago, impotence, nocturnal emission, irregular menstruation, diarrhea, indigestion, leukorrhea.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
GV-5
Location: Below the spinous process of the first lumbar vertebra.
Indications: Pain and stiffness of the lower back, diarrhea, indigestion.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
GV-6
Location: Below the spinous process of the eleventh thoracic vertebra.
Indications: Pain in the epigastric region, diarrhea, jaundice, epilepsy, stiffness and pain of the back.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch.
Vasculature: The posterior branch of the eleventh intercostal artery.
Innervation: The medial branch of the posterior ramus of the eleventh thoracic nerve.
GV-7
Location: Below the spinous process of the tenth thoracic vertebra.
Indications: Pain in the epigastric region, low back pain, stiffness of the back.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Vasculature: The posterior branch of the tenth intercostal artery.
Innervation: The medial branch of the posterior ramus of the tenth thoracic nerve.
GV-8
Location: Below the spinous process of the ninth thoracic vertebra.
Indications: Epilepsy, stiffness of the back, gastric pain.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Vasculature: The posterior branch of the ninth intercostal artery.
Innervation: The medial branch of the posterior ramus of the ninth thoracic nerve.
GV-9
Location: Below the spinous process of the seventh thoracic vertebra, approximately at the level with the inferior angle of the scapula.
Indications: Jaundice, cough, asthma, stiffness of the back, pain in the chest and back.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture obliquely upward 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Vasculature: The posterior branch of the seventh intercostal artery.
Innervation: The medial branch of the posterior ramus of the seventh thoracic nerve.
GV-10
Location: Below the spinous process of the sixth thoracic vertebra.
Indications: Cough, asthma, furundes, back pain, neck rigidity.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture obliquely upward 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Vasculature: The posterior branch of the sixth intercostal artery.
Innervation: The medial branch of the posterior ramus of the thoracic nerve.
GV-11
Location: Below the spinous process of the fifth thoracic vertebra.
Indications: Poor memory, anxiety, palpitation, pain and stiffness of the back, cough, cardiac pain.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture obliquely upward 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Vasculature: The posterior branch of the’ fifth intercostal artery.
Innervation: The medial branch of the posterior ramus of the fifth thoracic nerve.
GV-12
Location: Below the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra.
Indications: Cough, asthma, epilepsy, pain and stiffness of the back, furuncles.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture obliquely upward 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Vasculature: The posterior branch of the third intercostal artery.
Innervation: The medial branch of the posterior ramus of the third thoracic nerve.
GV-13
Location: Below the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra.
Indications: Stiffness of the back, headache, malaria, febrile diseases.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture obliquely upward 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Vasculature: The posterior branch of the first intercostal artery.
Innervation: The medial branch of the posterior ramus of the first thoracic nerve.
GV-14
Location: Below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra, approximately at the level of the shoulders.
Indications: Neck pain and rigidity, malaria, febrile diseases, epilepsy, afternoon fever, cough, asthma, common cold, back stiffness.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture obliquely upward 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Vasculature: The branch of the transverse cervical artery.
Innervation: The posterior ramus of the eighth cervical nerve and the medial branch of the posterior ramus of the first thoracic nerve.
GV-15
Location: 0.5 cun directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline, in the depression below the spinous process of the first cervical vertebra.
Indications: Mental disorders, epilepsy, deafness and mute, sudden hoarseness of voice, apoplexy, stiffness of the tongue and aphasia, occipital headache, neck rigidity.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-0.8 inch. Neither upward obliquely nor deep puncture is advisable. It is near the medullary bulb in the deep layer, and the depth and angle of the puncture should be paid strict attention to.
Vasculature: The branches of the occipital artery and vein.
Innervation: The third occipital nerve.
GV-16
Location: 1 cun directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline, directly below the external occipital protuberance, in the depression between m. trapezius of both sides.
Indications: Headache, neck rigidity, blurring of vision, epistaxis, sore throat, post-apoplexy aphasia, hemiplegia, mental disorders.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-0.8 inch. Deep puncture is not advisable. Medullary bulb is in the deep layer, special attention should be paid in acupuncture.
Vasculature: The branch of the occipital artery.
Innervation: The branches of the third cervical nerve and the great occipital nerve.
GV-17
Location: 2.5 cun directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline, 1.5 cun directly above Fengfu (GV-16), in the depression on the upper border of the external occipital protuberance.
Indications: Epilepsy, dizziness, pain and stiffness of the neck.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Vasculature: The branches of the occipital arteries and veins of the both sides.
Innervation: The branch of the great occipital nerve.
GV-18
Location: 4 cun directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline and 1.5 cun above Naohu (GV-17).
Indications: Headache, neck rigidity, blurring of vision, mania.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
GV-19
Location: 5.5 cun directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline, 1.5 cun directly above Qiangjian (GV-18).
Indications: Headache, vertigo, mania, epilepsy.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
GV-20
Location: On the midline of the head, 5 cun directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline, approximately on the midpoint of the line connecting the apexes of both ears.
Indications: Headache, vertigo, tinnitus, nasal obstruction, aphasia by apoplexy, coma, mental disorders, prolapse of the rectum and the uterus.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The anastomotic network formed by the superficial temporal arteries and veins and the occipital arteries and veins on both sides.
Innervation: The branch of the great occipital nerve.
GV-21
Location: 3.5 cun directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline and 1.5 cun anterior to Baihui (GV-20).
Indications: Epilepsy, dizziness, blurring of vision, vertical headache, rhinorrhea.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Vasculature: The anastomotic network formed by the right and left superficial temporal arteries and veins.
Innervation: On the communicating site of the branch of the frontal nerve with the branch of the great occipital nerve.
GV-22
Location: 2 cun posterior to the midpoint of the anterior hairline, 3 cun anterior to Baihui (GV-20).
Indications: Headache, blurring of vision, rhinorrhea, infantile convulsIon.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.3-0.5 inch. This point is prohibited in infants with metopism. Moxibustion is applicable.
Vasculature: The anastomotic network formed by the right and left superficial tempor-al artery and vein and the frontal artery and vein.
Innervation: The branch of the frontal nerve.
GV-23
Location: I cun directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.
Indications: Headache, ophthalmalgia, epistaxis. rhinorrhea, mental disorders.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.3-0.5 inch or prick to cause bleeding. This point is prohibited in infants with metopism. Moxibustion is applicable.
Vasculature: The branches of the frontal artery and vein, and the branches of the superficial temporal artery and vein.
Innervation: The branch of the frontal nerve.
GV-24
Location: 0.5 cun directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.
Indications: Epilepsy, anxiety, palpitation, insomnia, headache, vertigo, rhinorrhea.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.3-0.5 inch, or prick to cause bleeding.
Moxibustion is applicable.
Vasculature: The branch of the frontal artery and vein.
Innervation: The branch of the frontal nerve.
GV-25
Location: On the tip of the nose.
Indications: Loss of consciousness, nasal obstruction, epistaxis, rhinorrhea, rosacea.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.2-0.3 inch, or prick to cause bleeding.
Vasculature: The lateral nasal branches of the facial artery and vein.
Innervation: The external nasal branch of the anterior ethmoidal nerve.
GV-26
Location: At the junction of the upper third and middle third of the philtrum.
Indications: Mental disorders, epilepsy, hysteria, infantile convulsion, coma, apoplexy-faint, trismus, deviation of the mouth and eyes, puffiness of the face, pain and stiffness of the lower back.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture obliquely upward OJ-0.5 inch.
Vasculature: The superior labial artery and vein.
Innervation: The buccal branch of the facial nerve, and the branch of the intraorbital nerve.
GV-27
Location: On the labial tubercle of the upper lip, on the vermilion border between the philtrum and upper lip.
Indications: Mental disorders, lip twitching, lip stiffness, pain and swelling of the gums.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture obliquely upward 0.2-0.3 inch.
Vasculature: The superior labial artery and vein.
Innervation: The buccal branch of the facial nerve, and the branch of the infraorbital nerve.
GV-28
Location: At the junction of the gum and the frenulum of the upper lip.
Indications: Mental disorders, pain and swelling of the gums, rhinorrhea.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture obliquely upward 0.1 -0.2 inch, or prick to cause bleeding.
Vasculature: The superior labial artery and vein.
Innervation: The branch of the superior alveolar nerve.6
FLOWING ROUTES
The primary indications include febrile diseases, coma, mental disorders and corresponding splanchnopathies (diseases of the abdominal viscera). Moreover, the Governing Vessel arises from the lower abdomen and emerges from the perineum. Then, it runs posteriorly along the interior side of the spinal column to Fengfu (GV-16) at the nape, where it enters the brain. It further ascends to the vertex and winds along the forehead to the nasal column.7
Footnotes
- What Is Traditional Chinese Medicine – sciencebasedmedicine.org – 2012, https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/what-is-traditional-chinese-medicine/
- Advanced Pressure Point Fighting of Ryukyu Kempo – A Dillman Karate International Book – 1994, https://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Pressure-Point-Fighting-Ryukyu/dp/0963199633/
- T’ai Chi Ch’uan and Meditation – Library of Congress – 1991, https://www.amazon.com/TAi-Chi-ChUan-Meditation-Liu/dp/080520993X
- The foundations of chinese medicine: a comprehensive text for acupuncturists and herbalists – Black Dog & Elsevier Churchill Livingstone – 2005, https://www.amazon.com/Foundations-Chinese-Medicine-Comprehensive-Acupuncturists/dp/0443074895
- Governing Vessel Meridian – tcmwiki.com – 2017, https://tcmwiki.com/wiki/governor-vessel
- Acupuncture points of the GV meridian- cnacupuncture.com – 2017, http://www.cnacupuncture.com/points-of-the-liver-meridian-of-foot-jueyin.html
- Governing Vessel Meridian – tcmwiki.com – 2017, https://tcmwiki.com/wiki/governor-vessel
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