OBJECTIVETo compare the thermal conductivity of the related tissues along meridian line and non-meridian area.

METHODSForty healthy volunteers were observed with a infrared thermal imaging system.

RESULTSDuring heating the acupoint or the non-acupoint along the meridian line, the velocity of spreading of the temperature-increasing response along the meridian line was more easy and rapid, with a definite direction. However, during heating the non-meridian spots, the change of temperature was confined to the local area, with no definite direction. The spreading of skin temperature response along the meridian line was more rapid than the non-meridian area during both the two were heated simultaneously, and finally, 3 infrared radiant tracks along the meridian courses conformed basically with that of the classical three yin- meridians of the hand appeared.

CONCLUSIONThe thermal conductivity of the related tissues along the meridian line is better than that of non-meridian area and has definite direction, with differences in physical characteristics between them.