Overview: Large Intestine Sinew Channel (Arm Yangming)
The Large Intestine Sinew Channel and associated anatomy
- The Large Intestine sinew channel begins on the dorsal aspect of the index finger and between the radial side of the index finger and the thumb. This includes the muscles of the snuff box that pass over the main branch and attach as separate branches onto the radius and ulna. (Anatomy: Extensor pollicis brevis, Abductor pollicis longus extensor, Extensor pollicis longus)
- The main branch begins as the first dorsal interosseous muscle and binds to the wrist. It then continues up the forearm as the “mobile wad of three” (extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor carpi radialis longus, and brachioradialis) binding to the lateral epicondyle and supracondylar ridge. (Anatomy: First dorsal interossei, Extensor carpi radialis brevis, Extensor carpi radialis longus, Brachioradialis)
- This sinew channel then travels up the intermuscular septum (with the Sanjiao sinew channel) to the insertion of the deltoid and through the deltoid to attach at the shoulder. (Anatomy: Deltoid)
- It then continues up the trapezius to attach to the spine and occiput. (Anatomy: Trapezius)
- A branch will deviate from the shoulder and travel up the front of the neck and attach in the cheek. (Anatomy: Platysma)
- A final branch lies deep to this as the scalenes attach to the upper cervical vertebrae. (Anatomy: Scalenes)
