title: [Channels and collaterals are "doctrine" or "theory"].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To define the concept of meridian theory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Characteristics of meridian theory were systematically analyzed by the comparison of differences of doctrine and theory concepts and according to practicality, abstraction and logicality of scientific theory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Meridians have various characteristics of scientific theory, so it should be a scientific theory.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Meridians are not a doctrine, but is a scientific theory. That the meridians are defined as scientific theory is of important practical significance for studies of meridian essence and standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion, and innovation of theoretical system of acupuncture and moxibustion.
authors.affiliation: College of Acupuncture & Massage, Changchun College of TCM, Changchun 130117, China. fuchengwang420@126.com
authors.forename: Fu-chun
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Tie
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D016740:Meridians