Objective:To explore the neural pathway between th e internal organs and their B ack-Shu and Front-Mu points. Methods: In 170 Wistar rats

fluorescent double-lab eling method was used in this study. The tracer agents 10% Propidum iodide (PI

20 μL) and 10% Bisbenzimide (Bb

20 μL) were separately injected into “Gansh u” (BL 18)

“Qimen”(LR 14) and liver

“Xinshu”(BL 15)

“Juque”(CV 14) and hea rt

etc.. The labeled cells in the related dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were detect ed under microscope. Results: Regarding Zang- organs

the doubly labeled neurons of “Ganshu”(BL 18) and liver were found from T 8 to T 12

those of “Q imen”(LR 14) and liver: T 8～T 12; “Ganshu”

“Qimen”: T 7～T 11; “Xinsh u”(BL 15) and hear t: T 3～T 6; “Juque”(CV 14) and heart: T 3～T 7; “Xinshu” and “Juque”: T 2～T 6; “ Pishu”(BL 20) and spleen: T 10～L 1; “Zhangmen”(LR 13) and spleen: T 10～T 13; “Pi shu” and “Zhangmen”: T 9～L 1; “Feishu”(BL 13) and lung: C 8～T 5; “Zh ongfu”(LU 1) and lung: T 1～T 5; “Feishu” and “Zhongfu”: C 8～T 4; “Shenshu”(BL 23) and ki dney: T 13～L 3; “Jingmen”(GB 25) and kidney: T 12～L 2; “Shenshu ” and “Jingmen” : T 13～L 1. In regard to Fu-organs

the doubly labele d neu rons of “Danshu”(BL 19) and common bile duct were found from T 9 to T 12 ; “Riyue”(GB 24) and common bile duct: T 10～T 11; “Danshu” and “Riyue”: T 9～T 11; “We ishu”(BL 21) and stoma ch: T 9～T 13; “Zhongwan” and stomach: T 8～T 12; “Weishu” and “ Zhongwan”: T 9～T 12; “Dachangshu”(BL 25) and large intestine: L 2～L 5; “Tianshu”(ST 25) and lar ge intestine: T 12～L 4; “Dachangshu” and “Tianshu”: T 13～L 2; “ Xiaochangshu”(BL 2 7) and small intestine: L 1～L 4; “Guanyuan”(CV 4) and small intestine: T 13～L 3; “Xiaochangshu” and “Guanyuan”: L 1～L 3; “Pangguangshu”(BL 28) and bladd er: L 5～S 2; “Zhongji”(CV 3) and bladder: L 5～S 3; “Pangguangshu” and “Zhon gji”: L 4～S 2. Conclusion: There exist neurons in the spinal DRG that contr ol the internal or gans and the body surface

which not only provides reasonable explanations about the mechanism of the referred pain

but also suggests that the sensory impulses of acupuncture stimulation may exert a direct effect on the functional activiti es of the internal organs through the branches of the afferent nerve. Results of the present study provide anatomical basis for the theory of “Qijie” (pathway of qi) and clinical application of Back-Shu- and Front-Mu-poi nts in the treatment of visceral disorders.