Atlas of Acupuncture

4 Acupuncture Points of the Twelve Primary Channels

Location

At the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle,

directly inferior to the mastoid process, on the level of the

mandibular angle.

How to find

For a better definition of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, ask the

patient to rotate their head against resistance towards the side to

be needled. T.B.-16is located on the level of the mandibular

angle, on the dorsal aspect of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

This point is located inferior to the posterior border of the mas-

toid (➞3.1.4). ➞G.B.-12is located directly posterior and

inferior to the mastoid; ➞S.I.-17is also located on the level of

the mandibular angle, but on the anterior border of the sterno-

cleidomastoid muscle.

Needling

Vertically 0.5–1 cun. Caution: Carotid artery.

Actions/Indications

● Benefits the head and sensory organs

● Descends the Qi, expels Wind

● Opens the channel and alleviates pain

Special features

Window of Heaven point

T.B.-16 Window of Heaven TIANYOU

T.B.-17

Ex-HN Mastoid process

(anmian)

Ex-HN 14

(yiming)

G.B.-12

Helix root

T.B.-22

T.B.-21

S.I.-19

G.B.-2

Transverse process

of the atlas

Intertragic notch

Tragus

Supratragic notch

Sternocleidomastoid

S.I.-17

T.B.-16

Mandibular

angle

Mastoid

process

T.B.-21S.I.-19

G.B.-2

G.B.-12

S.I.-17

S.I.-16

L.I.-17

ST-9

ST-12

T.B.-16

T.B.-17

ST-7

G.B.-20

S.I.-18

Ren-23 L.I.18

ST-11

Ex-HN

(anmian)

ST-5

Sternocleidomastoid

S.I.-17

T.B.-16

ST-6

ST-5

S.I.-18

Mandi-

bular

angle

G.B.-12

G.B.-11

1 / 3

Approximate

level of the root

of the ear

Mastoid

process

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