The theory of channels and collaterals is one of the important components of traditional Chinese medicine

in which the correlationship of channels and collaterals with viscera serves as a guidance of acupuncture in clinical practice. However

for quite a long period this correlationship had not attracted enough attention in the study of channels and collaterals

until recent years a growing number of scholars came to regard it as the focus or core in their study and try to explore the relative mechanism involved. According to the author

a major breakthrough may likely be achieved in the study of meridian doctrine to reveal the essence of channels and collaterals regulating the mechanism of human body if research and investigation are carried on in the following important aspects: longitudinal study with channels and collaterals as the principal; transversal study with viscera as the principal; study of the correlation between exterior and interior in channels

collaterals

and viscera; and study of the connection of the back-shu points with the relative internal organs.