Concept

Meridians and collaterals

经络jing luo

2 sources

The system of pathways through which qi and blood circulate throughout the body, linking the zang-fu organs, limbs, orifices and tissues into an organic whole. The Neijing regards the meridians (jing-mai) as that which determines life and death, addresses the hundred diseases, and regulates deficiency and excess, and which therefore must be kept unobstructed; the collaterals are their branches forming a comprehensive network.

Source

Huangdi Neijing (Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor)《灵枢·经脉》（内经选读下篇·经络·十二经脉·原文3101）

References

《内经》经络论散见多篇综合理解（经脉/本输/脉度等）
WHO IST-TCM 2022 术语对齐（WGM2# 2908 Meridians and collaterals）

Full definition

Classical source text (Chinese) — English summary above.

經脈者，所以能决死生、處百病、調虛實，不可不通

Citations

Huangdi Neijing (Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor) · 托名黄帝/岐伯（先秦—西汉医家辑） · 《灵枢·经脉》（内经选读下篇·经络·十二经脉·原文3101）Cited from Huangdi Neijing (Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor) for its definition.
WHO international standard terminologies on traditional Chinese medicine · World Health Organization · WHO IST-TCM 2022, WGM2# 2908 (§3.5 针灸类·经络腧穴类)Cited from WHO international standard terminologies on traditional Chinese medicine for its standardized terminology.