督脉

Synonyms:

General

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Governor Vessel is one of the Eight Extra Meridians. Of the eight, Governor Vessel, Conception Vessel and Thoroughfare Vessel all originate in the uterus and emerge from the perineum and are therefore called "three meridians sharing the same origin";.

Governor Vessel has a close relation with the six yang meridians (including Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian of Hand, Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian of Hand, Yangming Large Intestine Meridian of Hand, Shaoyang Gall Bladder Meridian of Foot, Taiyang Bladder Meridian of Foot, Yangming Stomach Meridian of Foot). It regulates the qi of the yang meridians of the entire body, and is called the sea of yang meridians.

Conception Vessel and Governor Vessel have their own points and are grouped with the twelve main meridians as the fourteen main meridians.

Acupoints

Governor Vessel contents 28 acupoints.

Indication

The primary indications include febrile diseases, coma, mental disorders and corresponding splanchnopathies (diseases of the abdominal viscera).

The Course of the Vessel

The Governor Vessel arises from the lower abdomen and emerges from the perineum. Then it runs posteriorly along the interior side of the spinal column to Fengfu(GV16) at the nape, where it enters the brain. It further ascends to the vertex and winds along the forehead to the nasal column.

You can see the corese of Governor Vessel in the picture below.