Atlas of Acupuncture

4.3 The Stomach Channel System – Foot yangming(zu yang ming jing luo)

Location

On the ankle, on the level of the highest prominence of the lat-

eral malleolus, in the depression between the tendons of the

extensor digitorum and the extensor hallucis longus.

How to find

With the patient extending their big toe against resistance, the

tendon of the extensor hallucis longus muscle will become more

distinct. ST-41is located lateral to this tendon, in an obvious

depression on the level of the highest prominence of the lateral

malleolus (➞3.6.2) and ankle joint space.

Located on the same level is ➞LIV-4(medial to the tendon,

halfway between ➞SP-5and ST-41).

Needling

0.5–1 cun vertically or obliquely deep to the tendons in a medial

direction towards ➞SP-5or in a lateral direction towards

➞G.B.-40. Caution: Tibial artery/vein/nerve lie deep to this point.

Actions/Indications

● Clears Heat from the Stomach and Stomach channel

● Calms the shen

● Opens the channel and luovessels, alleviates pain

Special features

Jing-river point, Fire point, tonification point. Important local

point for disorders of the ankle joint. Important distal point for

frontal headaches caused by Stomach Heat or Stomach Fire.

Stream Divide JIEXI ST-41

Tendon of the

extensor hallucis

longus

Level of the highest

prominence of the

lateral malleolus ST-41 Talocrural joint

(ankle joint)

G.B.-40

G.B.-41

ST-43

G.B.-42

G.B.-43

BL-67 ST-44

G.B.-44

ST-45

LIV-1 SP-1

LIV-3

ST-42

LIV-4

ST-41 SP-5

SP-4

SP-3

SP-2

BL-66

BL-65

BL-64

BL-63

Ex-LE-10

(bafeng)

Trochlea

tali

Medial

malleolus Subtalar

joint

Talocrural

joint

Lateral

malleolus

LIV-4

ST-41

Ankle joint space

Tendon of the

tibialis anterior

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