Channel Pathways
The Stomach Meridian consists of multiple channel systems, each with its own pathway and clinical significance.
Pathway Description
The internal pathway:
- The Stomach Primary Channel originates at Yingxiang LI-20 at the lateral side of the nose. It is also the Yang axes connection of the first great circuit of Hand and Foot Yang-Ming.
- It then runs to Jingming BL-1 at the inner eye canthus, where it crosses the Bladder Channel.
- Descending laterally along the infraorbital ridge, it reaches Chengqi ST-1, where the Channel emerges externally under the eyes.
The external pathway:
- The Channel descends along the nose, passes Sibai ST-2 to Dicang ST-4, enters the upper gum and meets Governing Vessel at Renzhong DU-26, above the midpoint of the philtrum.
- It then curves around the lips and intersects Directing Vessel at Chenjiang REN-24 in the center of the mentolabial groove.
- After crossing the lower cheek laterally, it reaches Daying ST-5 at the angle of the mandible.
- Continuing descending the neck along the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, it arrives at Quepen ST-12 of the supraclavicular fossa.
- From ST-12, it continues descending, passes the nipples along the mamillary line, which is 4 cun lateral to the midline, until Rugen ST-18, which is 1 intercostal space below nipple.
- From ST-18, the Channel gets closer to the midline (2 cun), continues going downwards and bypasses umbilics to Qichong ST-30 in the inguinal region.
- From there, it curves and runs down further to Biguan ST-31 on the antero-lateral aspect of the thigh.
- It continues descending along the lateral margin of the femur to the knee and then alongside the lateral margin of the tibia to the dorsum of the feet.
- It finally terminates at Lidui ST-45 on the lateral corner of the second toe nail.
Branches:
- One external branch separates from Daying ST-5 in the lower angle of the mandible. It ascends and passes Xiaguan ST-7 in front of the ear. Continuing ascending to Touwei ST-8 of the temporal region, it passes the forehead and finally terminates at Shenting DU-24 of the anterior midline.
- From Quepen ST-12 of the supraclavicular fossa, one internal branch crosses the shoulder to Dazhui DU-14, below the 7th cervical vertebra of spinous process (C7). This is also the place the Channel meets the other five Yang Primary Channel.
- From Quepen ST-12, another internal branch descends through diaphragm and passes the Stomach and the Spleen (its paired Zang and Fu Organ). Its minor subbranches link to Shangwan REN-13, Zhongwan REN-12 and Xiawan REN-10 of the Directing Vessel. This branch rejoin the main external Channel around Qichong ST-30 in the inguinal region.
- From Zusanli ST-36 slightly below the knee, an internal branch separates from the Primary Channel. It runs downwards to the lateral aspect of the middle toe.
- Another internal branches starts from Chongyang ST-42 on the dorsum of the foot. It flows to Yinbai SP-1 on the medial aspect of the big toe and forms the Foot Yin-Yang connection of the first great circuit.