"Minute collaterals and microvessels"is a concept in collateral theory

which is based on the close connections between meridians and vessels

meridian branches and small & middle vessels

minute collaterals and microvessels as well as the microcirculations. Minute collaterals locates at the end of meridians. "Minute collaterals and microvessels"is considered as the basic function unit for maintaining the gathering and transformation of nutrient-Qi and defensive-Qi at the end of meridians. Pathological changes in this function unit will result in gathering and transformation of nutrient-Qi and defensive-Qi at the end of meridians. This

in turn

will cause obstruction of minute collaterals

which will become the important pathological factor and will exist during the whole course of meridian and collateral diseases. Based upon this

the authors hold that

it is of clinic significance to discuss the treatment of heart-related disease and other meridian and collateral diseases in the view of protecting "minute collaterals and microvessels".