Where are the three yin and three yang meridians of the foot?

Generally speaking, the three yin meridians of the foot refer to the Kidney Meridian of Foot Shaoyin, the Spleen Meridian of Foot Taiyin, and the Liver Meridian of Foot Jueyin. These meridians are located on the inner side of the leg, running from front to back and from bottom to top. The three yang meridians of the foot refer to the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming, the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot Shaoyang, and the Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang. These meridians are distributed on the outer and posterior sides of the leg, and their pathways all originate from the head, pass through the trunk and the outer side of the lower limbs, and terminate at the foot. Detailed descriptions are as follows:

I. Where Are the Three Yin Meridians of the Foot?

1. Kidney Meridian of Foot Shaoyin

Originates beneath the little toe, diagonally passes through the Yongquan point (on the sole), proceeds posterior to the medial malleolus, enters the heel, and ascends along the posterior border of the medial side of the leg. It then exits at the medial popliteal fossa, and continues upward along the posterior medial aspect of the thigh.

2. Spleen Meridian of Foot Taiyin

Originates from the medial end of the big toe, ascends along the boundary between the red and white skin on the medial side, passes anterior to the medial malleolus, and ascends along the midline of the medial side of the leg. At 8 cun above the medial malleolus, it ascends along the anterior-medial aspect of the thigh, enters the abdomen, passes upward through the diaphragm, ascends along both sides of the esophagus, connects with the base of the tongue, and spreads beneath the tongue.

3. Liver Meridian of Foot Jueyin

Originates from the hairy area posterior to the medial corner of the big toe's nail, ascends along the dorsum of the foot to a point 1 cun anterior to the medial malleolus, then ascends along the medial edge of the tibia. At 8 cun above the medial malleolus, it crosses behind the Spleen Meridian of Foot Taiyin, ascends past the medial side of the knee, continues upward along the midline of the medial thigh into the pubic region, encircles the genitalia, ascends to the lower abdomen, runs alongside the stomach, passes upward through the diaphragm, distributes over the hypochondriac region, follows the posterior aspect of the throat, ascends into the nasal pharynx, connects with the root of the eyes, emerges on the forehead, and ascends to meet the Du Meridian at the vertex of the head.

II. Where Are the Three Yang Meridians of the Foot?

1. Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming

Originates beside the ala of the nose, descends along the lateral side of the nose, enters the inner upper gum, encircles the lips, and intersects at the Chengjiang point. Then it follows the lower border of the mandible to the Daying point, ascends in front of the ear along the hairline to the forehead, and its tibial branch diverges 3 cun below the knee, entering the lateral side of the middle toe.

2. Gallbladder Meridian of Foot Shaoyang

Originates from the lateral canthus of the eye, descends along the anterior and posterior of the ear to the neck, then turns upward along the forehead to the eyebrow, bends backward to the Fengchi point, descends along the neck to the shoulder, and joins the main channel at the Quepen point. It then descends into the chest, passes through the diaphragm, connects with the liver, and belongs to the gallbladder. It descends along the hypochondriac region to the femoral artery in the groin, encircles the genitalia, reaches the lateral side of the lower leg, and descends to the lateral end of the fourth toe on the dorsum of the foot.

3. Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang

Originates from the medial canthus of the eye, ascends to the forehead, and converges at the vertex of the head. A branch from the posterior neck descends along the back to the popliteal fossa, where it joins the main branch. Then it descends through the gastrocnemius muscle, exits posterior to the lateral malleolus, follows the lateral margin of the foot to the lateral side of the small toe, and connects with the Kidney Meridian of Foot Shaoyin.

These meridians play a role in maintaining normal body function, promoting blood circulation and the movement of qi and blood. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical consultation for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.