Spleen Pathways

SPLEEN PRIMARY CHANNEL

begins at the medial side of the tip of the big toe at SP-1 runs along the medial aspect of the foot, following the border where the skin changes color ascends in front of the medial malleolus at SP-5 follows the posterior border of the tibia up the medial aspect of the leg to a point 8 cun superior to the medial malleolus where it crosses (and then travels anterior to) the Liver channel

SPLEEN PRIMARY CHANNEL

ascends along the medial aspect of the knee and the antero-medial aspect of the thigh to the lower abdomen where it intersects the Conception vessel at REN-3, REN-4 and REN-10 before entering the Spleen and connecting with the Stomach emerges in the region of the Stomach and ascends first at 4 cun lateral to the midline then at 6 cun lateral to the midline, passing through GB-24, LIV-14 and LU-1, and descends to terminate in the seventh intercostal space on the mid-axillary line at SP-21

SPLEEN PRIMARY CHANNEL

A branch ascends through the diaphragm, runs alongside the esophagus and spreads over the lower surface of the tongue A further branch ascends from the Stomach, passes through the diaphragm and flows to link with the Heart The Spleen primary channel connects with the following zangfu: Spleen, Stomach, Heart

luo-connecting channel of the Spleen

originates at SP-4 connects with the Stomach channel enters the abdomen and connects with the intestines and Stomach

divergent channel of the Spleen

branches from the primary channel in the middle of the anterior thigh follows the Stomach divergent channel to the throat where it penetrates the tongue

great luo-connecting channel of the Spleen separates from the primary channel at SP-21 on the lateral aspect of the chest spreads through the chest and lateral costal region gathering the blood of the luoconnecting channels of the whole body.

Spleen Sinew Channel

begins at the medial side of the big toe at SP-1 and ascends the foot to bind at the medial malleolus at SP-5, ascends the medial aspect of the tibia to bind at the medial side of the knee at SP-9, follows the medial face of the thigh to bind in the groin before converging at the external genitalia, ascends the abdomen to bind at the umbilicus, enters the abdomen, binds at the ribs and spreads in the chest, from the inside of the chest a branch adheres to the spine.

Spleen Meridian
Foot Tai Yin

Spleen 1 (Yinbai / Hidden White)

On the medial side of the great toe, 0.1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail.

0.1 II or //, or prick to bleed

Spleen 2 (Dadu /Great Metropolis)

On the medial side of the great toe, distal and inferior to the 1st metatarso-digital joint, in the depression at the junction of the red and white skin.
0.1 0.3 II or 0.3 0.5 // inferiorly

Spleen 3 (Taibai / Supreme White)

On the medial side of the foot, proximal and inferior to the 1st metatarso-digital joint, in the depression at the junction of the red and white skin.
0.3 0.5 II

Spleen 4 (Gongsun / Grandfather Grandson)

On the medial side of the foot, in the depression distal and inferior to the base of the 1st metatarsal bone, at the junction of the red and white skin.

0.5 0.8 II

Spleen 5 (Shangqiu / Shang Mound)

In the depression anterior and inferior to the prominence of the medial malleolus, midway between the tuberosity of the navicular bone and prominence of the malleolus. 0.2 0.3 II or Sub Q below tendon toward St 41
Deadman: in the depression that lies at the junction of straight lines drawn along anterior and inferior borders of the medial malleolus.

Spleen 1 - 5

Sp 5

Sp 1

Sp 2

Spleen 9 (Yinlingquan / Yin Mound Spring)

On the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia, in the depression posterior and inferior to the condyle.

0.5 1.0 II Deadman: medial side of the lower leg, in the depression in the angle formed by the medial condyle and posterior border of the tibia.

**Spleen 6 (Sanyinjiao / Three Yin Intersection) **

Three (3) cun directly above the prominence of the medial malleolus, posterior to the medial border of the tibia (in depression next to the tibia). Meeting point of Spleen, Liver and Kidney meridians. 0.5 1.0 II Contraindicated during pregnancy!!

Spleen 7 (Lougu / Dripping Valley)

Six (6) cun above the prominence of the medial malleolus, on the line connecting the prominence on the malleolus and Spleen 9, posterior to the medial border of the tibia. 0.5 1.0 II

Spleen 8 (Diji / Earth Pivot)

Three (3) cun below Spleen 9, on the line connecting Spleen 9 and the prominence of the medial malleolus. Locate Spleen 9 first. 0.5 1.0 II or // anteriorly

Spleen 1 - 9

Spleen 10 (Xuehai / Sea of Blood)

When the knee is flexed, 2 cun above the medio-superior border of the patella, on the bulge of the medial portion of m. vastus medialis.
0.5 1.2 II

Spleen 12 (Chongmen / Rushing Gate)

Superior to the lateral end of the inguinal groove, lateral to the femoral artery, level with the upper border of the pubic symphysis, 3.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline. Palpate for femoral artery!
0.5 1.0 II Deadman: 1 handbreadth lateral to the midline,

Caution! Femoral nerve, artery and vein

Spleen 11 (Jimen / Winnowing Gate)

On the medial aspect of the thigh, 6 cun above Spleen 10, on the line connecting Spleen 10 and Spleen 12. Locate Spleen 12 first.
0.5 1.0 II

Deadman: 2 hand breadths superior to Spleen 10, half-way between the tibiofemoral joint and Spleen 12.

Spleen 15 (Daheng / Great Horizontal)

4 cun lateral to the center of the umbilicus, on the lateral border of m. rectus abdominus (level with St 25).
0.7 1.2 II

Caution! Peritoneal cavity

Spleen 13 (Fushe / Abode of the Fu)

4.3 cun below the center of the umbilicus, 0.7 cun superior to Spleen 12, 4 cun lateral to the midline (4.3 cun below Spleen 15). Locate Spleen 15 first.
0.5 1.0 II

Caution! Peritoneal cavity

Spleen 14 (Fujie / Abdomen Knot)

1.3 cun below Spleen 15, 4 cun lateral to the midline, on the lateral border of m. rectus abdominus. Locate Spleen 15 first. (Approximately the distance from Sp 15 to pubic symphysis) 0.5 1.0 II

Caution! Peritoneal cavity

Spleen 16 (Fuai / Abdomen Sorrow)

3 cun above the center of the umbilicus/Sp 15, 4 cun lateral to the midline (level with St 22). 0.5 1.0 II. If point is on costal margin, needle medially or sub q along costal margin. Caution! Peritoneal cavity.

Spleen 17 (Shidou / Food Cavity)

In the 5th ICS, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline (on line with Lung 1 & 2).
0.3 0.5 // laterally or =

Caution! Pneumothorax

Spleen 18 (Tianxi / Heavenly Stream)

In the 4th ICS, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline (on line with Lung 1 & 2).
0.3 0.5 // laterally or =

Caution! Pneumothorax

Spleen 19 (Xiongxiang / Chest Village)

In the 3rd ICS, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline (on line with Lung 1 & 2).
0.3 0.5 // laterally or =

Caution! Pneumothorax

Spleen 20 (Zhourong / Encircling Glory)

In the 2nd ICS, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline (on line with Lung 1 & 2).
0.3 0.5 // laterally or =

Caution! Pneumothorax

Spleen 21 (Dabao / Great Wrapping)

On the lateral side of the chest, on the axillary midline, in the 6th ICS.
0.3 0.5 // or =

Deadman: 7th ICS.

Caution! Pneumothorax

Spleen 14 21, Stomach 14 - 25