The tendons of the twelve meridians refer to the areas where qi from the twelve meridians accumulates and are the regions where the twelve meridians are connected with the musculature and joints.
The distribution of the twelve meridian tendons agrees with the projection of the meridians that they are connected with on the body surface, especially on the four limbs. The function of the meridian tendons is to nourish and govern the musculature and joints to maintain the normal activities of the body and strengthen the relation of the twelve meridians with the three yin and three yang meridians on the same side.