Penetrating Vessel

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Quick Facts

Associated Organ

Kidneys

Flow Direction

Centrifugal (away from torso)

Extraordinary Vessel Details

Master Point: Gongsun SP-4

Coupled Point: Neiguan PC-6

Paired Vessel: Yin Linking Vessel

Overview

The Penetrating Vessel is one of the most important Extraordinary Vessels. It is called the 'Sea of the 12 Channels' and the 'Sea of Blood'. It especially has a great influence over women's menstruation.

Channel Pathways

The Penetrating Vessel consists of multiple channel systems, each with its own pathway and clinical significance.

Pathway Description

Penetrating vessel is one of the most complicated channels as it has five branches. They run up to the eyes and head, down to the feet, back to the lumbar spine and front to the abdomen. It also goes interiorly to the various Yin and Yang Organs as well as externally to the skin and muscles. It is the most 'penetrating' Channel of the whole body. Due to its wide connectivity and functions, it is also regarded as the 'Sea of the blood', 'Sea of the 12 Channels' and 'Sea of the five Yin and Yang Organs'.

The internal branch:

This is an internal branch originating from the space between the Kidneys, like the other two Extraordinary Vessels, Directing and Governing Vessels.
It then runs through the Uterus and emerges at Huiyin REN-1 at the perineum.

The abdominal branch:

This is the only external one out of the five branches. It emerges at Qichong ST-30 and connects to the Kidney Channel at Henggu KID-11.
In fact all Penetrating Vessel's points are actually Kidney Channel points on the abdomen from Henggu KID-11 to Youmen KID-21. Some books say it even ascends all the way to Shufu KID-27.
The vessel continues ascending internally and disperses in the chest and breasts.

The head branch:

This is an internal branch ascending from the chest, going through the throat and chin, curving around the lips and terminating below the eyes.

The spinal branch:

This is also an internal branch starting from Huiyin REN-1. It then ascends inside the spine all the way to the neck vertebra.

The descending branch:

This is also an internal branch originating from the Qichong ST-30 of the pelvic region.
It then descends along the anterior thigh and the lower leg to the internal malleolus. From there, it splits into two subbranches, one runs to the foot sole alongside the Kidney Channel. While the other subbranch flows to the foot dorsum between the 1st and 2nd toes.

Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points along the Penetrating Vessel and related points from other channels.

Related Points from Other Channels

Huiyin REN-1

Starting point where Chong Mai originates at the perineum, shared with Ren and Du Mai

Qichong ST-30

Major crossing point where Chong Mai emerges and connects with Stomach meridian

Henggu KI-11

First Kidney channel point on Chong Mai's abdominal trajectory

Dahe KI-12

Kidney channel point along Chong Mai ascending pathway

Qixue KI-13

Kidney channel point on Chong Mai, important for reproductive function

Siman KI-14

Kidney channel point along Chong Mai trajectory

Zhongzhu KI-15

Kidney channel point on Chong Mai ascending pathway

Huangshu KI-16

Kidney channel point at navel level on Chong Mai

Shangqu KI-17

Kidney channel point on Chong Mai trajectory

Shiguan KI-18

Kidney channel point along Chong Mai ascending path

Yindu KI-19

Kidney channel point on Chong Mai trajectory

Futonggu KI-20

Kidney channel point along Chong Mai pathway

Youmen KI-21

Final Kidney channel point on Chong Mai before it disperses into the chest

Detailed Information

In-depth information about the Penetrating Vessel and its clinical significance.

There are eight different Extraordinary Vessels and they connect the Six Extraordinary Yang Organs (Uterus, Brain, Marrow, Bones, Blood Vessels and Gallbladder) with the other Organs. For example, the Uterus connects to the Kidneys through the Directing and Penetrating Vessels.

These Extraordinary Vessels are like reservoirs of energy, as opposed to the main Channels which are like rivers. They connect to Channels and balance Yin and Yang flow between them. In effect, Channels can "tap into" the Extraordinary Vessels reserves or store Yin and Yang in them, depending on the needs.

The Penetrating (Chong Mai 冲脉), Governing (Du Mai 督脉) and Directing (Ren Mai 任脉) Vessels are the most important of the eight Vessels because they are the origin of all. Each of the three start directly from the space between both Kidneys because their main task is to supply and circulate Kidney Essence. They can be seen as the three branches of the same Vessel originating from the Kidneys and then taking different pathways. Compared with the other Extraordinary Vessels, these three can be used in clinical practice to influence a patient’s status at a deep fundamental level.

The Penetrating Vessel is a complex one because it has many different functions. Regarded as the ‘Sea of the 12 channels’, it branches out in many small capillary-like vessels and connect with the Channels. It has 5 main branches: the internal branch (through the lower abdomen, the Uterus and the perineum), the abdominal branch (along the Kidney Channel and dispersing in the chest and breasts), the head branch (ascending alongside the throat, chin, lips and eyes), the spinal branch (ascending inside the lumbar spine) and the descending branch (along the inner thigh, the lower leg, the internal malleolus and the foot).

It is also considered as the ‘Sea of Blood’ as it controls all the Blood Connecting Channels. It helps circulate and balance Qi and Blood within these Channels. It governs the Uterus Blood and the transformation of Kidney-Essence into menstrual Blood (also called Tian Gui)

Related Resources

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