Meridians and Collaterals

Like the geographic coordinate system that enables every location on the Earth to be specified by a set of numbers and letters, the Chinese Meridian and Collateral system is designed to describe the locations in the human body. More than defining locations, the Meridians and Collaterals are pathways that transport nutrients (Qi and Blood) to the Zang-Fu organs and every cell inside the body. They are vital for physiological functions. The Meridians and Collaterals are also pathways by which exogenous pathogens can invade the body. Pathogens can enter the body through the skin, enter into the Collaterals, then move into the Meridians and ultimately affect the Zang-Fu organs if not treated. Because the Meridians and Collaterals connect the Zang-Fu organs to the outside of the body, diseases within the body can also present outwardly. Therefore the Meridian system is also used as a diagnostic tool to detect changes occurring inside of the body. This is the basis for the "Look" diagnostic technique in Chinese Medicine, where clinicians can detect imbalances and diseases by observing a patient's outward condition.