Acupoint theory: discussion from the perspective of meridian biaoben

In the classic of acupuncture-moxibustion theory, biaoben (trunk and root), genjie (root and knot) and genliuzhuru (qi running among five-shu points, rising from a well, gliding as a spring, pouring through as a stream, flowing as a river and entering inwards a sea) of meridians are similar to meridian distribution and acupoint-like sites. Their concepts and theoretical properties had not been clarified in later generations. The unclear profiles of their connotation and meanings have affected the understanding of sijie (four pathways of qi located on the heat, chest, abdomen and leg) and sihai (four seas, including sea of marrow, sea of qi, sea of water and food, and sea of blood). Hence, it becomes a crucial point where the meridian theory and acupoint theory are not clearly identified. Based on wuzang tongtian (interrelationship between five-zang organs and nature) in tianhui yijian (tianhui medical bamboo slips), focusing on the association with meridian biaoben, the paper analyzes the formation and connotation of these concepts. It is considered that the involved properties imply the summarization on the rules of acupoint indications and functions, which belongs to the category of acupoint theory.