Overview: Kidney Sinew Channel (Leg Shaoyin)

The Kidney Sinew Channel: Trajectory and associated anatomy

1. The Kidney sinew channel begins on the plantar aspect of the foot under the lateral four toes. It crosses the plantar aspect of the foot following flexor digitorum longus, including all the deep intrinsic muscles of the foot, and binds with the bladder sinew channel at the heel. (Anatomy: Plantar interosseous, Lumbricales, Quadratus plantae, Flexor digitorum brevis)
2. The Kidney sinew channel follows the flexor digitorum longus tendon around the medial malleolus, traveling up the medial aspect of the tibia to bind on its posterior surface. (Anatomy: Flexor digitorum longus)
3. The Kidney sinew channel then travels up and over the medial condyle of the tibia, following the medial collateral ligament. (Anatomy: Medial collateral ligament)
4. It continues up over the medial epicondyle of the femur, following the periosteum of the medial supracondylar ridge. From here with the Spleen sinew channel (traditional description) and Liver sinew channel (not included in the traditional description) flows up the linea aspera to the ischial tuberosity of the pelvis. (Anatomy: Gracilis, Adductor magnus)
5. From the ischial tuberosity, it travels deep into the pelvic floor to bind to the anterior aspect of the coccyx and sacrum. (Anatomy: Levator ani (puborectalis, pubococcygeus, and iliococcygeus) and Coccygeus)
6. Finally, the Kidney sinew channel will ascend the anterior spinal fascia and anterior cervical muscles to connect with the Bladder sinew channel at the occiput. (Anatomy: Longus colli, Longus capitis, Rectus capitis anterior, Rectus capitis lateralis)