Atlas of Acupuncture

4.11 Gall Bladder Channel System – Foot shaoyang(zu shao yang jing luo)

Location

1 cun anterior to ➞G.B.-22(on the midaxillary line, 3 cun

inferior to the apex of the axilla in the 4th intercostal space).

How to find

With the patient’s arm slightly abducted, locate the apex of the

axilla. First, locate ➞G.B.-223 cun inferior to it in the 4th inter-

costal space, then locate G.B.-231 cun anterior to ➞G.B.-22

and also in the 4th intercostal space. For orientation:In men,

the nipple is located in the 4th intercostal space; in women, in a

supine position, its location may vary. Therefore, in women, the

manubriosternal synchondrosis (➞3.5) is a more reliable refer-

ence point for the costal region. Note: The intercostal space

curves in a superior direction towards lateral.

Also located on the level of or in the 4th intercostal space, but

more medially, are ➞Ren-17/KID-23/ST-17/P-1/SP-18(on the

midline/2 cun lateral to the midline/in the centre of the nipple or

4 cun lateral to the midline/1 cun lateral to the nipple or 5 cun

lateral to the midline/6 cun lateral to the midline).

Needling

0.5–1 cun obliquely or transversely (subcutaneously) along the

4th intercostal space. Caution: Pneumothorax.

Actions/Indications

● Regulates the Qi between the Upper and Middle Burners

● Opens the channel

Special features

Meeting point with the BL channel according to some authors

Flank Sinews ZHEJIN G.B.-23

G.B.-22

G.B.-23

4th intercostal space

5th intercostal space

6th intercostal space

3 cun

1 cun

Apex of the

axilla

Midaxillary line

KID-24

KID-23

KID-22

Ren-17

4th intercostal space

3rd intercostal space ST-1

4th intercostal space

4th intercostal space

6 cun

SP-18

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