|
经络是经脉和络脉的总称，是人体联络、运输和传导的体系。经，有路径的含义，经脉贯通上下，沟通内外，是经络系统中的主干；络，有网络的含义，络脉是经脉别出的分支，较经脉细小，纵横交错，遍布全身。《灵枢·脉度》说：“经脉为里，支而横者为络，络之别者为孙。”
|
|
 The Meridians is a comprehensive term of "Jingluo" in Traditional Chinese Medicine. They are the passages through which the Qi can be conducted. The meridians mainly refer to the paths of main trunks which run up and down, interiorly and exteriorly within the body. The branches of meridians are called collaterals which imply the networks, thinner and smaller than meridians, run crisscrossly over the body. The chapter, Discussion on the Measurement of Meridians(Chapter 17)in Miraculous Pivot says: "The meridians are internal trunks, its transversing branches are collaterals, the subdivisions of collaterals are minute collaterals."
|
|
|
|
经络内属于脏腑，外络于肢节，沟通于脏腑与体表之间，将人体脏腑组织器官联系成为一个有机的整体；并借以行气血，营阴阳，使人体各部的功能活动得以保持协调和相对的平衡。 |
The meridians and its collaterals belong to the Zang-Fu organs interiorly and extend to the extremities and joints exteriorly integrating the Zang, the Fu, tissues and organs into an organic whole, by which they transport Qi of blood and regulate Yin and Yang, keeping the functions and activities of all parts of the body in harmony and balance relatively. |
|
经络学说是研究人体经络系统的循行分布、生理功能、病理变化及其与脏腑相互关系的一种理论，多少年来一直指导着中医各科的诊断与治疗，其与针灸学科关系尤为密切。
|
The theory of the meridians deals with the courses and distributions, physiological functions, pathological changes of tile meridians of the human body, and their relations to the ZangFu organs. It guides the diagnosis and treatment for clinic of Traditional Chinese Medicine and it links tightly with the theory of acupuncture.
|
|
经络学说的形成
经络学说是我国劳动人民通过长期的医疗实践，不断观察总结而逐步形成的。根据文献分析，其形成途径如下：①“针感”等传导的观察：针剌时产生酸、麻、重、胀等感应，这种感应常沿着—定路线向远部传导；②腧穴疗效的总结：主治范围相似的腧穴往往有规律地排列在—条路线上；③体表病理现象的推理：某一脏器发生病变，在体表相应部位可有压痛、结节、皮疹、色泽改变等现象，也是发现经络系统的途径之一；④解剖，生理知识的启发：古代医家通过解剖,在一定程度上认识了内脏的位置、形态及某些生理功能，观察到人体分布着很多管状和条索状结构，并与四肢联系，观察到某些脉管内血液流动的现象。
|
Development of the Theory of the Meridians
The theory of the meridians is formed through longtime practice and observation of Chinese people. Based on the analysis of records, the formation is as follows:
1. Observation of Needling Sensation: Acupuncture produces sensation of soreness, numbness, distension or heaviness. This sensation usually goes to the distal region along a definite pathway.
2. The Summary of the Therapeutic Effects of Acupoint: The acupoints which have similar clinical effects are regularly lined on the same course.
3. Reference of the Pathological Phenomenon on the Body Surface: When there appears the disorder in a certain organ, then on the corresponding areas of the body surface appear tenderness, tubercles, skin rash and changes of the skin color, this is also another way of discovering the system of meridians.
4. Suggestions from knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology:With the help of anatomy. Chinese doctors in ancient times got to know the position, the appearance and some physiological functions of internal organs, and observed the tunnellike and the cordlike structures are distributed over the body and connected with four limbs as well. The phenomenon of the circulation of blood can be seen in same blood vessels. |
