This paper analyzes the historical development and value orientation of

jingluo

(meridians and collaterals) theory

proposing that the superficial arteries of body are the initial choice for constructing

jingluo

system by ancient practitioners. When (blood) vessels no longer met the clinical and theoretical requirements for constructing

jingluo

system

the concept of

jing

(meridian) emerged subsequently. The value of

jingluo

theory orients towards the empirical laws that establish the connections between the upper and the lower

as well as the internal and the external of the body

serving as a theoretical framework to guide and explain the therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion. The construction of

jingluo

system marks the fundamental maturity of this theory and lays the core theoretical foundation for acupuncture and moxibustion as an independent discipline. The authors propose to deconstruct the

jingluo

system into three subsystems

namely

mai

(vessel) system regulates the flow of

qi

and blood to nourish the entire body;

jing

(meridian) system balances

yin

and

yang

to coordinate systemic functions; and

jin

(tendon) system stabilizes bones and facilitates joint movement. Finally

the conceptual framework for each subsystem is presented

including construction principles

theoretical models

classical text references for meridian running path

clinical knowledge domains

and diagnostic and therapeutic dimensions. After deconstructing the

jingluo

system into three subsystems

this study reconstructs it based on classical literature and relevant theories of traditional Chinese medicine

aiming to establish a new theoretical framework for

jingluo

theory

thereby providing novel insights for further clinical applications of acupuncture and moxibustion as well as scientific research.