[Changes in the meridian tropism of points and its theoretical perspectives].

The points of (thoroughfare vessel) recorded in ( ') were shared with those of foot- meridian in (). Since the Song Dynasty, all of these points were gradually reassigned to the foot meridian, in the way of "the points of foot- meridian, and the confluence points of ". The paper presents the evolution of the meridian tropism of these points and analyzes the underlying causative factors. It is proposed that was developed in the later time, based on the abdominal pulsating blood vessels and mixed with the theories of other meridians that had been earlier formed. It is pointed that the functions of these points on the abdomen are extensive, without the clear meridian specificity. It is rational why the association of these points with meridian is ambiguous. Besides, the relevant theory and practice of this specificity also affect the evolution of the attribution of points. Based on the above analysis, the paper presents the exploration on the theories and the problems of theoretic construction such as the relationship between meridians and acupoints, between the regular meridians and the extraordinary meridians, and the ways of the related expressions and descriptions.