Atlas of Acupuncture

4 Acupuncture Points of the Twelve Primary Channels

Location

In the depression anterior and inferior to the lateral malleolus,

lateral to the tendons of the extensor digitorum longus muscle.

How to find

For easier location, ask the patient to flex their ankle at a 90°

angle. From the lateral malleolus (➞3.6.2), let the palpating fin-

ger glide into a well-defined depression anterior and inferior to

the malleolus. By lifting the toes, the tendons of the extensor dig-

itorum longus muscle as well as the depression (G.B.-40) will

become more pronounced. For orientation: G.B.-40is located

at the junction of a vertical line along the anterior border of the

lateral malleolus and a horizontal line along its lower border.

➞SP-5is located in a comparable position but on the medial

aspect of the ankle (in the depression anterior and inferior to the

medial malleolus). On a line connecting ➞SP-5and G.B.-40,

➞LIV-4is located medial to and ➞ST-41is located lateral to

the tendon of the extensor hallucis longus muscle, which runs to

the big toe.

Needling

0.5–1.5 cun vertically or slightly obliquely in the area of the

fibulotarsal ligaments towards the medial arch of the foot.

Actions/Indications

● Opens the channel, benefits the joints

● Spreads Liver Qi, clears Heat and Dampness from the Gall

Bladder

Special features

Yuan-source point

G.B.-40 Mound of Ruins QIUXU

LIV-4

ST-41

Ankle joint space

Tendon of

tibialis anterior

Inferior border

of the lateral

malleolus

Anterior border of

the lateral malleolus

G.B.-40

G.B.-40

Tendons of the extensor

digitorum longus

15

9

10

11

12

13

14

8

16

G.B.-44

cun

Highest

prominence

of the lateral

malleolus

G.B.-36

BL-60

G.B.-39 BL-59

BL-58

BL-57

G.B.-40

G.B.-42

G.B.-35

G.B.-37

G.B.-38

Highest prominence

of the medial malleolus

SP-5

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