Triple Burner Channel

Pathway for Triple Burner Primary Channel

The external pathway: 

• The Triple Burner Primary Channel starts at Guanchong TB-1 at the corner nail of the ring finger, which connects to a branch of Pericardium Primary Channel at Laogong P-8 of the palm. 
• It ascends along the ulnar side of the ring finger and then the dorsum of the hand between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones. 
• It then continues ascending the posterior aspect of the forearm between the Large and Small Intestine Channels and also between the radius and ulna. 
• Passing Tianjing ST-10 at the olecranon of the ulna, it runs up further along the postero-lateral aspect of the upper arm to the shoulder. 
• After traversing the shoulder, it crosses Bingfeng SI-12 in the center of the suprascapular fossa and connects with other Yang Primary Channels at Dazhui DU-14, which is below the 7th spinous process (C7). 
• It then flows to the anterior aspect of the body, crosses Jianjing GB-21 and enters the supraclavicular fossa at Quepen ST-12. 

The internal pathway: 

• From Quepeng ST-12, the Primary Channel goes internally.
• It spreads between Shanzhong REN-17 and the breast, passes the Pericardium and penetrates the diaphragm. 
• It finally enters the abdomen through Zhongwan REN-12 and connects with the Upper, Middle and Lower Burner. 
• According to some books, the Primary Channel continues descending to Weiyang BL-39 at the popliteal fossa. It is said to be the lower Sea-He point of the Triple Burner. 

Branches: 

• An internal branch separates from Shanzhong REN-17, back to ST-12 of the supraclavicular fossa, where it emerges externally again. It then ascends the neck to Tianyou TB-16 at the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and Yifeng TB-17 behind the ear lob. 
  • From there, the main external sub-branch runs up further behind the ear and arrives at Jiaosun TB-20 above the ear apex. It  crosses Gall Bladder Channel internally at Xuanli GB-6, Xuanlu GB-5 and Hanyan GB-4.  It then descends the cheek to the lower jaw and ascends again, arriving at Quanliao SI-18 on the lower border of zygoma. It terminates at the infraorbital region. 
  • From TB-17, another subbranch enters the ear and emerge again through tragus. It passes Tinggong SI-19, Ermen TB-21, Erheliao TB-22 and arrives at Shangguan GB-3. It then crosses the previous sub-branch on the cheek and terminate at Sizhukong TB-23 at the outer canthus of the eye. 

Pathway for Triple Burner Divergent Channel

• The Triple Burner Divergent Channel separates from the Primary Channel from Jiaosun TB-20 above the ear apex.
• It ascends to Baihui DU-20 at the vertex. 
• Then the Channel descends through the posterior aspect of the ear and Tianyou TB-16 behind the sternocleidomastoid muscle of the neck. Here it also intersects with the Triple Burner Primary Channel and Pericardium Channel. 
• Continuing descending to Quepen ST-12 in the supraclavicular fossa, it then runs through the chest, spreads in the Pericardium and finally terminates at the Upper, Middle and Lower Burners. 

Pathway for Triple Burner Sinew Channel

• The Triple Burner Sinew Channel originates at Guanchong TB-1, at the ulnar corner of the ring finger. 
• Ascending the dorsum of the ring finger and the hand between the 4th and 5th metacarpal bones, it then binds at Yangchi TB-4 at wrist. 
• Between the Small and Large Intestine Sinew Channels and also between the radius and ulna, it continues ascending the posterior aspect of the forearm and binds at Tianjing ST-10 at the olecranon of the ulna. 
• Continuing running up the upper arm, it binds at the posterior corner of the acromion. 
• It travels up further to the posterior aspect of the shoulder and then the lateral aspect of the occiput where it connects to the Small Intestine Sinew Channel. 
• It finally reaches the mandibular angle and separates into two branches: 
  • One branch goes internally and connects to the tongue root. 
  • The other branch runs up in front of the ear, then binds at the outer canthus of the eye. After crossing the temple, it terminates at Benshen GB-13 in the frontoparietal region, where it connects to the other Hand Yang Sinew Channel. 

Pathway for Triple Burner Luo-Connecting Vessel System

• The Triple Burner Luo-Connecting Vessel System separates from the Primary Channel at Waiguan TB-5 which is the Channel's Luo-Connecting point. 
• From there it forms a three-dimensional reticular network composed of various branches and subbranches. 
  • The main branch ascends the posterior aspect of the arm and shoulder area. 
  • It runs to the front of the body, passes Quepen ST-12 in the supraclavicular fossa, crosses the chest and meets the Pericardium Primary Channel. From there it spreads in the upper, Middle and Lower Burners.