NCCAOM Meridian and Collateral Theory 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which extraordinary vessel is called both the 'sea of the twelve meridians' and the 'sea of blood'?
- Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) (Correct answer)
- Ren Mai (Conception Vessel)
- Du Mai (Governing Vessel)
- Dai Mai (Belt Vessel)
Correct 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.
Question 2: The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) is called the 'sea of' which category of meridians?
- All yang meridians
- All yin meridians (Correct answer)
- The sinew channels
- The luo collaterals
Correct 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.
Question 3: Which extraordinary vessel encircles the waist horizontally and is said to 'bind' the other vessels?
- Ren Mai
- Du Mai
- Chong Mai
- Dai Mai (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Dai Mai
Dai Mai (Belt Vessel) is the only horizontal meridian; it encircles the waist like a belt and restrains the vertical vessels.
Question 4: Du Mai, Ren Mai, and Chong Mai are sometimes called the 'three branches from one source' because they all originate from which region?
- The chest and lungs
- The lower abdomen (uterus/kidney region) (Correct answer)
- The head and brain
- The upper back
Correct 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.
Question 5: The Yin Qiao Mai and Yang Qiao Mai (Motility Vessels) primarily regulate which paired functions?
- Digestion and fluid metabolism
- Motor function and the sleep-wakefulness cycle (Correct answer)
- Blood production and storage
- Respiratory rate and depth
Correct 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).
Question 6: How many extraordinary vessels (Qi Jing Ba Mai) are there in total?
- 6
- 8 (Correct answer)
- 10
- 12
Correct answer: 8
There are exactly 8 extraordinary vessels: Du, Ren, Chong, Dai, Yin Qiao, Yang Qiao, Yin Wei, and Yang Wei.
Question 7: Which extraordinary vessel is said to 'maintain and link' all the yin meridians and is used clinically for yin deficiency patterns?
- Chong Mai
- Dai Mai
- Yang Wei Mai
- Yin Wei Mai (Correct answer)
Correct 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.
NCCAOM Meridian and Collateral Theory 2
Which extraordinary vessel is called both the 'sea of the twelve meridians' and the 'sea of blood'?