Channel Pathways
The Liver Meridian consists of multiple channel systems, each with its own pathway and clinical significance.
Pathway Description
The external pathway:
- The Liver Primary Channel of Foot Jue-Yin (Terminal Yin) starts from Dadun LIV-1 at the dorsal hairy region of the great toe.
- It then runs upward along the dorsum of foot.
- It passes through Zhongfeng LIV-4, which is 1 cun in front of the medial malleolus.
- Then the Channel ascends along the medial part of the lower leg to Sanyinjiao SP-6, which is 3 cun above the medial malleolus. The three Yin Channels (Liver, Spleen and Kidney Channel) cross here.
- It runs up further to the medial side of the knee, then the medial aspect of the thigh.
- After reaching the pubic hairy region via Chongmen SP-12 and Fushe SP-13, it curves around the external genitals.
- It continues ascending to the lower abdomen, intersecting the Directing Vessel at Qugu REN-2, Zhongji REN-3 and Guanyuan REN-4.
- The Channel then traverses the abdomen obliquely to Zhangmen LIV-13, at the end of the 11th rib and to Qimen LIV-14, 2 ribs below nipples. The pathway leaves the surface and goes inside the body from the LIV-13.
The internal pathway:
- The internal pathway curves around the Stomach and arrives at the Liver and the Gallbladder. The latter two are the Channel's pertaining Zang and Fu Organs.
- From there it continues to ascend, passing through the diaphragm, branching out in the coastal and hypochondriac region and passing Tianchi P-1 and Zhongfu LU-1.
- Then it ascends along the neck and the posterior aspect of the throat to the nasopharynx. It connects with the tissues surrounding the eye (the 'eye system').
- Running further upward, it emerges from the forehead and meets the Governing vessels at the vertex at Baihui DU-20.
Branches:
- An internal branch runs downward from the eye system through the cheek and circles around the lips' inner surface.
- Arising from the Liver, another internal branch passes through the diaphragm, disperses in the Lungs and crosses the Lung Channel. It then meets the Pericardium Channel at Tianchi P-1, 1 cun lateral to the nipple.