Atlas of Acupuncture

4 Acupuncture Points of the Twelve Primary Channels

Location

In the 7th intercostal space, on the mamillary line (4 cun lateral

to the anterior midline).

How to find

The mamillary line, a vertical line 4 cun lateral to the midline, is

used for reference in the thoracic region (➞3.5). Quick method,

especially in men:In men, the nipple is usually located on the

level of the 4th intercostal space. From the nipple, count down-

ward to the 7th intercostal space. Or:A more reliable reference,

especially in women, is the manubriosternal synchondrosis, a

horizontal bony structure on the sternum. The costal cartilage of

the second rib is lateral to the synchondrosis, with the 2nd inter-

costal space below. From there, count downward to the 7th inter-

costal space and locate G.B.-24on the mamillary line. ➞LIV-14

is located directly superior to G.B.-24in the 6th intercostal

space.

Located approximately on the same level (1 cun inferior to the

sternocostal angle) are ➞Ren-13/KID-20/ST-20(on the mid-

line/0.5 cun lateral to the midline/2 cun lateral to the midline).

Needling

0.3–0.8 cun obliquely in a lateral direction along the intercostal

space. Caution: Pneumothorax.

Actions/Indications

● Benefits the Gall Bladder, eliminates Damp-Heat, regulates

and spreads Liver Qi, descends counterflow Qi, harmonises

the Middle Burner

Special features

Front-mupoint of the Gall Bladder, meeting point with the SP

channel, also with the yang wei maiaccording to some authors.

Major point for disorders of the Gall Bladder.

G.B.-24 Sun and Moon RIYUE

Level of

the nipples

G.B.-23

G.B.-21

G.B.-22

G.B.-24

G.B.-25

G.B.-26

G.B.-27

G.B.-28

G.B.-29

G.B.-30

Ren-4

Level of the

umbilicus

Upper border

of the pubic

symphysis

LIV-13

G.B.-24

Mamillary

line

Manubriosternal

synchondrosis

1 3 4 5 6 7

2

2nd rib

in the 7th

intercostal space

2nd rib

2nd intercostal space

3

4

5

6

Manubriosternal

synchondrosis

18

18

15

24

22

16

19

17

SP-20

25

22

19

17

12

LIV-14

G.B-24

16

8

7

6

5

4

Sternocostal

angle

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