Heart Channel

Pathway for Heart Primary Channel

The internal pathway: 

• The Heart Primary Channel of Hand Shao-Yin originates from the Heart. 
• It emerges from the blood vessel system surrounding the Heart and runs to the Lungs. 
• It then descends and emerges in the center of the axilla at Jiquan HE-1, which is the starting point of the external pathway. 

The external pathway: 

• The Channel continues descending along the medial aspect of the upper arm between the Lung and Pericardium Channel. 
• Reaching Shaohai HE-3 at the elbow, it descends further along the antero-medial lower arm to Shenmen HE-7 at the pisiform bone of the wrist. 
• It then runs through the palm between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones. 
• Continues travelling along the radial aspect of the little finger, it finally terminates at Shaochong HE-9 at the radial corner of the nail. 

Branches: 

• 1st branch: An internal branch separates from the Heart, ascends along the oesophagus and the neck region, passes the face and cheek and finally disperses around eye issues. 
• 2nd branch: The other internal branch also originates from the Heart. It then descends through diaphragm and connects with the Small Intestine. 

Pathway for Heart Divergent Channel

• The Heart Divergent Channel separates from the Primary Channel at Jiquan HE-1 from the axillary. 
• It then penetrates the chest at Yuanyu GB-22 and enters internally to the Heart. 
• From there, it ascends through the chest and neck and arrives at Lianquan REN-23. 
• It then emerges on the face cheek and meets the Small Intestine Channel at Jingming BL-1 at the inner canthus. 

Pathway for Heart Sinew Channel

• The Heart Sinew Channel starts from the radial aspect of the little finger. 
• After binding at the pisiform bone at Shenmen HE-7, it ascends the anterior and ulnar aspect of the forearm and binds again at Shaohai HE-3 at the elbow. 
• It continues ascending the anterior part of the upper arm, arrives at the axillary region and binds there again. This is also the place it meets with the Lung Sinew Channel. 
• From the axillary region, it goes deeper into the body, penetrates the chest and binds at Shanzhong REN-17 at the body midline. 
• It then descends and penetrates the diaphragm and finally ends at the umbilicus. 

Pathway for Heart Luo-Connecting Vessel System

• Heart Luo-Connecting Vessel System separates from the primary channel at its Luo-Connecting point of Tongli HE-5. 
• It then spreads like a reticulate network, which is composed of many branches and sub-branches such as Sun Luo or Fu Luo. 
  • Sun Luo (Grandson Vessel): The small connecting vessels across the body. 
  • Fu Luo (Floating Vessel): Vessels of the skin. 
• One branch connects with the Small Intestine Primary Channel. 
• One branch follows its own Primary Channel to the Heart, bypassing the anterior arm, axilla and chest. 
• From the Heart, it then ascends to the root of the tongue and terminates in the eye. 
• Some books claim that the branch continues internally to the Brain.