Liver Meridian
Pathway
The Liver meridian begins at the dorsum of the big toe, runs up the inner ankle, and ascends along the medial (inner) leg and thigh — crossing behind the spleen meridian line — to the pubic region, where it encircles the external genitalia. It continues up the lower abdomen to the flank, connects to the liver and gallbladder, crosses the diaphragm, spreads through the costal region, ascends along the throat, and finally rises to connect with the tissues around the eyes and the crown of the head. A branch descends from the liver to the lung, where the cycle begins again.
Role in TCM theory
- Storing blood (肝藏血) — the liver regulates the volume of blood in circulation, releasing it during activity and storing it during rest; the tradition advises being asleep by the liver's 1–3 a.m. peak so this function can proceed undisturbed.
- Ensuring the smooth flow of qi (肝主疏泄) — the liver keeps qi moving freely through the body and mind. Constraint of liver qi is the traditional explanation for feelings of stress, sighing, and tension along the sides of the body.
- Governing the sinews (肝主筋) — the liver nourishes the tendons; the classics connect supple, well-nourished sinews with healthy liver blood.
- Opening into the eyes (肝開竅於目) — traditional eye care routines in TCM almost always begin with the liver.
Common acupoints on the Liver meridian
| Point | Name (pinyin) | Location | Traditional use |
|---|---|---|---|
| LV-3 | Taichong (太沖) | On the dorsum of the foot, in the depression before the junction of the first and second metatarsal bones | The shu-stream and yuan-source point of the liver; the classic point pair \"Four Gates\" (with LI-4) traditionally eases constraint of qi |
| LV-2 | Xingjian (行間) | Between the first and second toes, at the margin of the web | The ying-spring point; traditionally used when liver \"fire\" rises — e.g. red, irritated eyes in the classical idiom |
| LV-14 | Qimen (期門) | In the sixth intercostal space, on the mammillary line | The front-mu point of the liver, on the flank where the channel's influence is traditionally felt |
Point locations follow the WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Names (1991). Acupressure is generally safe as a gentle practice; needling must only be performed by a licensed practitioner.
The 1–3 am window
The liver's two-hour peak falls in the deepest part of the night. Classical sleep advice is blunt on this point: be asleep before the gallbladder window closes at 1 a.m., because the liver's blood-storing work happens on a full sleep schedule, not on willpower. See the interactive body clock.
Related: all twelve meridians · paired meridian: Gallbladder (profile coming soon) · body clock