Spleen Meridian

Name

足太阴睥经穴

The Spleen Channel is the Tai Yin of the foot. Some books translate it as the Spleen-Pancreas Channel, since the two organs are very close to each other and combine the digestive and immune functions of this system.

Pathway

External pathway

The main Spleen Channel begins at point SP-1, at the inner nail angle of the first toe. It follows the inner edge of the foot, between white flesh and red flesh. It passes in front of the inner malleolus, ascends along the inner edge of the tibia and reaches the knee. It continues along the anteromedial part of the thigh and reaches the inguinal fold. At point SP-13 it joins with Ren Mai at CV-3 and CV-4 and returns to the main channel line, ascending along the abdomen, 4 cun lateral to Ren Mai. It reaches the level of the umbilicus (SP-15) situated 4 cun lateral to the umbilicus, where a branch departs toward CV-10 that goes inward. The main channel continues ascending along the abdomen and chest (along the chest it lateralizes a bit more, 6 cun from Ren Mai). It reaches SP-20 at the second intercostal space and descends to the 6th intercostal space in the axillary line to end at SP-21, the great Luo of Spleen.

Internal pathway

From point SP-15 it directs to CV-10, penetrates into the interior of the abdomen to connect with the Spleen and the Stomach, establishing the Biao-Li relationship. It crosses the diaphragm and ascends along the esophagus until reaching the Heart.

From SP-20 there is a branch that goes to LU-1 and ascends until it branches at the base of the tongue.