Atlas of Acupuncture

5 The Eight Extraordinary Vessels (qi jing ba mai) with Points

Location

On the anterior midline, on the level of the 3rd intercostal space.

How to find

Locate the 3rd intercostal space either by parasternal palpation

starting at the clavicle or by counting downward from the

manubriosternal synchondrosis (➞2nd rib) (➞3.5).

Located on the same level (➞ 3rd intercostal space) are

➞KID-24/ST-16/SP-19(2/4/6 cun lateral to the midline).

Needling

0.5–1 cun transversely (subcutaneously) in a superior or inferior

direction. Caution: Danger of injury to the heart or the pleura in

patients with a sternal foramen, therefore only transverse

needling with or against the flow of the channel.

Actions/Indications

● Unbinds the chest, regulates and descends the Qi

Ren-18 Jade Hall YUTANG

KID-24

KID-23

KID-22

Ren-17

3rd intercostal space

LU-1

SP-20

SP-19 2nd intercostal space

1st intercostal space

3rd intercostal space

Ma 15

ST-16

2nd intercostal space

3rd intercostal space

4th intercostal space

Ren-16

Ren-18

Ren-19

Ren-20

Ren-21

Sterno-

costal

angle

3rd intercostal space

Ren-17

18

16

18

15

25

24

(^2218)
16
17
22
19
8
17
12
LIV-14
G.B.-24
16
LIV-13
15
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Umbilicus
1
Sterno-
costal
angle
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