Line drawing in ink and brush style from an anonymous manuscript probably dating from the end of the Qing period (1644-1911). Chongmai (Penetrating Vessel) is one of the Eight Extraordinary Channels (Qi jing ba mai). It originates within the lower abdomen,comes into confluence with the [kidney] meridian of foot shaoyin, and runs upwards alongside the spine to the chest, where they separate. Acu-moxa locations on this channel include henggu (Pubic Bone), dahe (Great Glory), qixue (Qi Cavern), siman (Four Fullnesses), zhongzhu (Middle Flow), huangshu (Vitals Conveyor), shangqu (Shang Bend), shiguan (Stone Pass), yindu (Yin Metropolis), tonggu (Connecting Valley) and youmen (Hidden Portal). According to current teaching, pathological changes in the channel are thought to cause retrograde Qi in the chest and abdomen (xiongfu qini), dyspnoea (qichuan), hernias, dry heat (zao re), withering ailments (weizheng), etc. See also Image L0037915.
