Gall Bladder Channel

Name

The Gall Bladder Channel is the Shao Yang of the foot.

Pathway

It begins at GB-1, at the side of the external canthus of the eye, travels toward the ear, rises toward ST-8, descends through the temporal region and contours the ear posteriorly to the mastoid process (GB-12). It turns anteriorly to the forehead (GB-14) and descends again to the nape (GB-20), descends the neck, through the trapezius, goes to GV-14 and directs to the supraclavicular fossa.

A branch exits from GB-20 behind the ear, penetrates it and emerges anteriorly to reach the external canthus of the eye, descends to ST-5, rises again to below the orbital margin, descends to the angle of the lower jaw (ST-6), travels down the neck and unites with the anterior branch at the supraclavicular fossa.

From the supraclavicular fossa (ST-12) there are 2 branches.

Internal branch. Penetrates the thorax, crosses the diaphragm, reaches the Liver and ramifies in the Gall Bladder. Continues descending through the abdomen, exteriorizes at point ST-30 and reaches the hip joint at GB-30.
External branch. Descends from the supraclavicular fossa toward the axillary line and at the fourth intercostal space forms a zigzag on the lateral trunk. Reaches the sacrum and unites with the internal branch at GB-30.

From the hip, it descends along the external aspect of the thigh, knee and leg. Passes in front and below the external malleolus, follows the dorsal aspect of the foot, between the fourth and fifth metatarsals, and terminates at the external nail angle of the fourth toe.

A branch exits from GB-41, located in the fourth intermetatarsal space, and directs toward the external nail angle of the big toe, to unite with the Liver Channel, at LR-1.