Small Intestine Channel

Pathway for Small Intestine Primary Channel

The external pathway: 

• The Small Intestine Channel of Hand Tai-Yang originates from Shaoze SI-1, at the ulnar corner of the nail of the little finger. 
  • It connects to a branch of the Heart Channel at Shaochong HE-9, at the radial corner of the little finger nail. 
• From SI-1,  the Primary Channel runs up along the ulnar border of the hand and reaches the wrist around Yanglao SI-6.
• It continues ascending the ulna to the medial aspect of the elbow at Xiaohai SI-8, where it passes between the olecranon of the ulna and the medial epicondyle of the humerus. 
• Then it runs along the posterior aspect of the upper arm to Naoshu SI-10, at the posterior aspect of the shoulder joint. Some document says it also passes Binao LI-14 on the way. 
• Zig-zagging from the inferior fossa to the superior fossa of the scapula through Tianzong SI-11 and Bingfeng SI-12, it then reaches Tianjing SI-13 at the medial aspect of the scapular spine. 
• It then passes Jianwaishu SI-14, Jianzhongshu SI-15, Fufen BL-41 and Dazhu BL-11.
• It crosses Dazhui DU-14 of the Governing Vessel at the lower border of the spinous process of C7. 
• Finally it goes anteriorly to the supraclavicular fossa and reaches Quepen ST-12. 

The internal pathway: 

• From ST-12, The internal Channel descends to the Heart, crosses Shanzhong REN-17 of the Directing Vessel and continues going downwards along the esophagus. 
• It penetrates the diaphragm and reaches the Stomach, where it intersects Shangwan REN-13 and Zhongwan REN-12. 
• The internal Channel continues descending and terminates by spreading in the Small Intestine area. 

Branches: 

• One external branch starts from Quepen ST-12 of the supraclavicular fossa, ascends along the neck and reaches Quanliao SI-18 at the cheek. 
  • From SI-18, an internal  subbranch runs along the lateral aspect of the nose to Jingming BL-1 at the inner canthus of the eye, where it links to the Bladder Channel. 
  • Another internal subbranch also separates from SI-18. It ascends to the Tongzilao GB-1 at the outer canthus of the eye, then runs posteriorly towards the ear and intersects the Gall Bladder Channel at Touqiaoyin GB-11 and the Triple Burner Channel at Jiaosun TB-20 and Erheliao TB-22. It terminates at Tinggong SI-19 anterior to the ear. 

Pathway for Small Intestine Divergent Channel

• The Small Intestine divergent channel separates from the Primary Channel at Bingfeng SI-12 (or Naoshu SI-10 depends on the school of thought) at the shoulder. 
• It then descends towards the axilla and reaches Yuanye GB-22, from where it travels internally afterwards. 
• It then runs inside the chest and arrives at the Heart. 
• Afterwards, it descends and penetrates the diaphragm and terminates by spreading in the Small Intestine. 

Pathway for Small Intestine Sinew Channel

• The Small Intestine Sinew Channel originates from Shaoze SI-1 at the ulnar aspect of the little finger. 
• Ascending along the ulnar and dorsum part of the little finger and hand, it binds at the wrist at Yanggu SI-5. 
• It then continues ascending along the ulnar side of the forearm and binds at Xiaohai SI-8 of the medial condyle of the humerus at the elbow. 
• Ascending further along the upper arm, it bends at Jianzhen SI-9 at the posterior aspect of the axilla. 
• Then it runs behind the axilla and surrounds the scapula. 
• From there, it goes up the lateral aspect of the neck and binds at the mastoid process anterior to the Bladder Sinew Channel. 
• Then it runs further up behind the ear, where a subbranch enters the ear. 
• From there, it curves around to the top of the ear and then descends to the mandible and binds there. 
• Afterwards, it ascends again to bind at the outer canthus, crossing the teeth on the way.
• Finally, it continues ascending and terminates at Benshen GB-13 at the frontoparietal aspect of the head. This is the place it meets the other Hand Yang Sinew Channels as well. 

Pathway for Small Intestine Luo-Connecting Vessel System

• The Small Intestine Luo-Connecting Vessel System separates from the Primary Channel at Zhizheng SI-7 of the forearm, where it also connects with the Heart Channel. 
• It then ascends to the shoulder and terminates at Jianyu LI-15, after passing the medial condyle of the Humerus. 
• Some schools of thought claim that the Channel continues by running to Quepen ST-12 in the supraclavicular fossa. Then it penetrates the chest and ends in the Heart.