Meridian and Collateral Theory Flashcards

Which extraordinary vessel is called both the 'sea of the twelve meridians' and the 'sea of blood'?

Answer: Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel)

Chong Mai is called the sea of the twelve meridians and the sea of blood because it regulates Qi and blood flow throughout all meridians.

The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) is called the 'sea of' which category of meridians?

Answer: All yin meridians

Ren Mai is called the sea of yin meridians because it meets with all six yin meridians and regulates yin Qi in the body.

Which extraordinary vessel encircles the waist horizontally and is said to 'bind' the other vessels?

Answer: Dai Mai

Dai Mai (Belt Vessel) is the only horizontal meridian; it encircles the waist like a belt and restrains the vertical vessels.

Du Mai, Ren Mai, and Chong Mai are sometimes called the 'three branches from one source' because they all originate from which region?

Answer: The lower abdomen (uterus/kidney region)

All three vessels originate from the uterus in women or the lower abdomen near the kidneys, sharing a common root before diverging.

The Yin Qiao Mai and Yang Qiao Mai (Motility Vessels) primarily regulate which paired functions?

Answer: Motor function and the sleep-wakefulness cycle

The Qiao vessels regulate muscle tone and motor function on the yin and yang sides of the body and govern the opening and closing of the eyes (sleep/wakefulness).

How many extraordinary vessels (Qi Jing Ba Mai) are there in total?

Answer: 8

There are exactly 8 extraordinary vessels: Du, Ren, Chong, Dai, Yin Qiao, Yang Qiao, Yin Wei, and Yang Wei.

Which extraordinary vessel is said to 'maintain and link' all the yin meridians and is used clinically for yin deficiency patterns?

Answer: Yin Wei Mai

Yin Wei Mai connects and maintains all yin meridians; its deficiency leads to heart pain and chest oppression related to yin insufficiency.