Lung Channel

Pathway for Lung Primary Channel

The internal pathway: 

• The Lung Primary Channel of Hand Tai-Yin originates from the Middle-Burner in the region of the Stomach. 
• It runs downward to connect with the Large Intestine, its paired Fu Organ. 
• Winding back up, it goes along the upper orifice of the Stomach.
• It then passes through the diaphragm.
• It enters the Lungs, its pertaining Zang Organ.
• It then goes up to the throat region. 
• Comes down transversally to Zhongfu LU-1 on the lateral thoracic wall at the level of the first intercostal space. This is where the Channel emerges to the surface. 

The external pathway: 

• From LU-1, the external pathway ascends one rib space to Yunmen LU-2 in the center of the hollow of the delto-pectoral triangle. 
• After descending along the medial aspect of the upper arm, it reaches the cubital fossa of the elbow at Chize LU-5.
• It continues downward along the medial aspect of the forearm and arrives at the medial side of the styloid process of the radius above the wrist. 
• From there, it follows the lateral border of the radial artery and reaches Taiyuan LU-9 at the wrist. 
• It then passes the thenar eminence and goes along the radial side of the thumbnail.
• Finally, the Channel ends at the medial side of the thumbnail at Shaoshang LU-11.

Branches: 

• A branch separates from the Primary Channel at Lieque LU-7, which is located at the styloid process of the radius. It runs directly to the radial side of the index finger to its tip where it connects with Shangyang LI-1, of the Large Intestine Channel. This is the hand Yin–Yang connection of the first great circuit.

Pathway for Lung Divergent Channel

• The Lung Divergent Channel diverges from the Lung Primary Channel at the axilla. 
• It travels down to Yuanye GB-22 on the midaxillary line, 3 cun inferior to the axilla. 
• After entering the thoracic region, it disperses in the Lungs, its pertaining Zang Organ and then descends to the Large Intestine, its paired Fu Organ. 
• It then ascends again and emerges in the region of the supraclavicular fossa at Quepen ST-12. 
• Finally, it traverses the neck in a cranial direction and connects with the Large Intestine Primary Channel at Futu LI-18. 

Pathway for Lung Sinew Channel

• The Lung Sinew Channel originates on the thumb at Shaoshang LU-11. 
• It then spreads along the radial aspect of the thumb and the 1st metacarpal bone as well as the thenar eminence
• It binds at Taiyuan LU-9 on radial wrist joint space. 
• Following the radial pulse and ascending the flexor aspect of the forearm, it binds at the center of the elbow around Chize LU-5. 
• It continues upwards along the antero-lateral aspect of the upper arm and binds again at the anterior shoulder region near the acromioclavicular joint. 
• It then enters the chest below the axilla and meets the other hand Yin Sinew Channels (Pericardium and Heart Sinew Channel) at Yuanye GB-22.
• Afterwards, the channel emerges in the region of Quepen ST-12 and travels laterally to the shoulder to Jianyu LI-15.
• Finally, it returns to the supraclavicular (Quepen ST-12) region, descends into the chest, spreads over the diaphragm and converges in the region of the floating ribs.

Pathway for Lung Luo-Connecting Vessel System

• The Lung Luo-Connecting Vessel separates from the Lung Primary Channel at Lieque LU-7. 
• It then follows the Lung channel into the palm at Yuji LU-10 and and forms a three-dimensional reticular network, dividing into multiple branches and sub-branches. 
• It connects with the Large Intestine Primary Channel, which is the Lung channel's Interiorly–Exteriorly pair.