MERIDIANS AND COLLATERALS-THE PATHWAYS TO LINK THE WHOLE BODY(1)
經(jīng)絡(luò)—人體聯(lián)絡(luò)的通道(1)
The meridian-collateral theory is concerned with the physiological functions and the pathological changes of the meridian-collateral system, and their relationships with zang-fu organs. It is an important component of the theoretical system of TCM. And it is considered as a theoretical basis of all clinical subjects of TCM, especially that of acupuncture, moxibustion, tuina and qigong. Besides, it guides the clinical practice of other branches of TCM.	經(jīng)絡(luò)理論是有關(guān)經(jīng)絡(luò)系統(tǒng)的生理功能和病理變化以及和臟腑之間關(guān)系的理論。它是中醫(yī)理論系統(tǒng)的重要組成部分，被認(rèn)為是所有中醫(yī)臨床學(xué)科特別是針灸、推拿和氣功的理論基礎(chǔ)。另外，它還指導(dǎo)其它分支學(xué)科的臨床實(shí)踐。
The meridians and collaterals are pathways along which qi and blood circulate through the whole body. The meridians are the major trunks of the meridian-collateral system and run longitudinally within the body, while the collaterals are the branches of the meridians and are reticularly distributed over the whole body. Hence, the meridians and collaterals, connecting the zang-fu organs with extremities, the upper with the lower and the internal with ihe external portions of the body, make all the body's organs and tissues an organic whole.	經(jīng)絡(luò)是氣血循行全身的通道。經(jīng)是經(jīng)絡(luò)系統(tǒng)的主干，縱行于人體，而絡(luò)是經(jīng)的分支，呈網(wǎng)狀分布于全身。因此，經(jīng)絡(luò)溝通人體臟腑肢節(jié)，上下內(nèi)外，使人體的臟腑組織成為一個(gè)有機(jī)整體。
The Composition of the Meridian-Collateral System	經(jīng)絡(luò)系統(tǒng)的組成
The meridian-collateral system consists of meridians and collaterals as well as their subsidiary parts. This system, internally, links the zang-fu organs and, externally, joins the tendons, museles and skin.quanxiangyun.cn	經(jīng)絡(luò)系統(tǒng)由經(jīng)和絡(luò)互補(bǔ)而成。這個(gè)系統(tǒng)在內(nèi)聯(lián)絡(luò)臟腑組織，在外溝通筋骨肌膚。醫(yī)學(xué)全在線
The meridians are classified into three categories: the regular meridians and the extra meridians and the divergent meridians. There are twelve regular meridians, namely the three yin meridians as well as the three yang meridians of the hands and feet. They are known collectively as "the twelve regular meridians", which are the main passages for qi and blood circulation and start and terminate at given seats, run along fixed routes and meet indefinite orders. They are directly connected with the relevant zang-fu organs. The eight extra meridians are composed of Du,Ren, Chong, Dai, Yinqiao, Yangqiao, Yinwei and Yangwei meridians. They are interlated with the twelve regular meridians and perform the functions of dominating, connecting and adjusting the twelve regular meridians. And they are not directly related to the internal organs in addition, the twelve divergent meridians are the extensions of the twelve meridians. They originate from the limbs, run deeper into the zang-fu organs and emerge from the shallow neck.     Their action is to enhance the Links between every pair of meridians exteriorly-interiorly related in the twelve meridians and complement the organs and bodily areas to which the regular meridians can not get.	經(jīng)可以分為三類：正經(jīng)、奇經(jīng)和經(jīng)別。有十二正經(jīng)即手足三陰三陽經(jīng)。它們被總稱為“十二正經(jīng)”，是氣血循行的主要通道，有固定的起止點(diǎn)，按照一定的路徑循行并按一定順序交接。它們與相對應(yīng)的臟腑直接相連。奇經(jīng)八脈由督、任、沖、帶、陰蹻、陽蹻、陰維和陽維脈組成 。它們與十二正經(jīng)相互聯(lián)系，并行使控制、聯(lián)系和調(diào)節(jié)十二正經(jīng)的功能。另外，它們不與臟腑直接相關(guān)。十二經(jīng)別是十二正經(jīng)的延續(xù)。它們起于四肢，深入臟腑，淺出于項(xiàng)部。它們的作用是加強(qiáng)十二正經(jīng)表里兩經(jīng)的聯(lián)系，并補(bǔ)充十二正經(jīng)所不能到達(dá)的臟腑和身體區(qū)域。
The collaterals are the branches of the meridians. They are divided into three groups: the divergent collaterals, superficial collaterals and tertiary collaterals. The divergent collaterals are the larger and main collaterals. The divergent collaterals originate from the twelve meridians as well as Du and Ren meridians respectively. Together with a large splenic collateral, they are altogether "fifteen divergent collaterals". Their chief task is to strengthen the links between every pair of meridians exteriorly-interiorly related on the body surface. The superficial collaterals are ones that run through the surface layer of the human body, and often emerge on the surface. And the tertiary collaterals refer to the smallest and the thinnest ones of the whole body.	絡(luò)是經(jīng)的分支，可分為三類：別絡(luò)、浮絡(luò)和孫絡(luò)。起源于十二正經(jīng)和任督二脈的別絡(luò)和脾之大絡(luò)統(tǒng)稱為“十五別絡(luò)”。它們的作用是加強(qiáng)表里兩經(jīng)在體表上的聯(lián)系。浮絡(luò)循行于人體的表層并常出于體表。孫絡(luò)是整個(gè)人體中最細(xì)小的絡(luò)脈。
In addition, there are the subsidiary parts of the meridian system, including the twelve skin zones and twelve musculature zones. Therefore, they are the parts that connect the twelve meridians with the  superficial portions and the muscular portions of the body respectively. Considering the important place of the twelve meridians and the eight extra meridians in the meridian-collateral system. we are going to take them as the main subject for discussion.	此外，尚有經(jīng)絡(luò)系統(tǒng)的附屬部分包括十二皮部和十二經(jīng)筋。因此，它們是分別連接人體淺表和肌肉的部分�？紤]到十二正經(jīng)和奇經(jīng)八脈是經(jīng)絡(luò)系統(tǒng)的重要組成部分，我們將以其為主題進(jìn)行討論。
Tab. 2 The Nomenclature and Classification of the Twelve Meridians	表2.十二正經(jīng)的命名和歸類
Tab.2 shows that every meridian consists of three parts.	表2說明了每條經(jīng)都由三部分組成。
1 ) Hand or foot:	（1）手或足
The meridians starting or terminating at the hand are named "Hand", while those starting or terminating at the foot are named "Foot". So the twelve meridians are divided into four groups: three yin meridians of hand, three yang meridians of hand, three yin meridians of foot, and three yang-meridians of foot. Each of the meridian is named according to the medial or the lateral aspect of hand or foot, the names to which zang and fu pertain, and the nature of yin or yang.醫(yī).學(xué).全在線quanxiangyun.cn	經(jīng)脈起于或止于手者命名為“手”，起于或止于足者命名為“足”。所以，十二正經(jīng)可分為四組：手三陰經(jīng)，手三陽經(jīng)，足三陰經(jīng)，足三陽經(jīng)。每條經(jīng)都是根據(jù)其所在手足的內(nèi)外面的位置、臟腑歸屬和陰陽性質(zhì)命名的。
2 ) Yin or yang:	（2）陰或陽
The meridians going in the medial aspect of the limbs are named "yin", whereas those in the lateral aspects are named "yang". The medial aspect of the limbs is subdivided into the anterior border, midline and the posterior border. And the yin meridians running through these parts are named Taiyin,Jueyin and Shaoyin respectively. The lateral surface of the limbs is also subdivided into the anterior border, the midline and the posterior border. And yang meridians are termed "Yangming","Shaoyang", and "Taiyang".	循行于四肢內(nèi)側(cè)的經(jīng)脈命名為“陰”，而循行于外側(cè)者為“陽”。四肢內(nèi)側(cè)又可分為前、中、后三部，陰經(jīng)循行于該部分的分別稱為太陰、厥陰和少陰。四肢外側(cè)同樣可以分為前、中、后三部。陽經(jīng)循于此者分別為陽明、少陽和太陽。
3) Zang or fu:	（3）臟或腑
The nomenclature of zang or fu is determined in the light of the nature to which zang or fu pertains. For example, the meridian pertaining to the kidney is named the kidney meridian, and the rest may be deduced by analogy.	臟或腑的命名是根據(jù)臟或腑的歸屬決定的。例如，屬于腎的經(jīng)脈命名為腎經(jīng)，其余由此類推。
To sum up, it is quite evident that there is no name that does not involve hand or foot, yin or yang, zang-organ or fu-organ in the twelve meridian.(To Be Continued)	總之，很顯然十二正經(jīng)中沒有不以手足、陰陽、臟腑命名的。