Atlas of Acupuncture

4.4 The Spleen Channel System – Foot taiyin(zu tai yin jing luo)

Location

In the 3rd intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline

or 2 cun lateral to the midclavicular line.

How to find

Locate the 3rd intercostal space by counting parasternally from

the clavicle or from the manubriosternal synchondrosis (➞3.5).

Follow the course of the intercostal space in a lateral direction

and locate SP-196 cun lateral to the anterior midline or 2 cun

lateral to the midclavicular line (note: the intercostal space later-

ally curves upward).

Located on the same level (note: course of the intercostal space)

are ➞Ren-18(anterior midline), ➞KID-24(2 cun lateral to the

midline) and ➞ST-16(4 cun lateral to the midline).

Needling

0.5–0.8 cun obliquely or transversely (subcutaneously), parallel

to the intercostal space, or with or against the channel pathway.

Caution: Pneumothorax.

Actions/Indications

● Disperses and descends the Lung Qi

● Unbinds the chest

Chest Village XIONGXIANG SP-19

LU-1

SP-20

SP-19

6 cun

2nd intercostal space

1st intercostal space

3rd intercostal space

Ren-16

Ren-18

Ren-19

3rd intercostal space

Ren-17

KID-24

KID-23

KID-22

Ren-17

3rd intercostal space

Ma 15

ST-16

2nd intercostal space

3rd intercostal space

4th intercostal space

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