Atlas of Acupuncture

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

Location

On the anterior midline, on the lower part of the manubrium

sterni, on the level of the 1st intercostal space.

How to find

The manubriosternal synchondrosis generally forms a distinct

horizontal bony structure on the upper part of the sternum.

Locate Ren-20slightly superior to the synchondrosis, on the

midline and on the level of the 1st intercostal space.

Located at the same level (1st intercostal space) are

➞KID-26/ST-14/LU-1(2/4/6 cun lateral to the midline).

Needling

0.5 cun transversely in a superior or inferior direction. Caution:

In patients with a sternal foramen, danger of injury to the pleura

or the mediastinum, therefore only transverse needling with or

against the flow of the channel.

Actions/Indications

● Unbinds the chest

● Regulates and descends the Qi

Ren-20 Magnificent Canopy HUAGAI

KID-27

KID-26 1st intercostal space

ST-14

ST-13

1st intercostal space

LU-2

1 cun

Suprasternal

fossa

LU-1 Midline

Sterno-

costal

angle

Ren-16

Ren-18

Ren-19

Ren-20

Ren-21

18

16

18

15

25

24

25 19

20

(^2218)
16
14
12
26
KID-27
Ren-22
ST-9
17
22
19
8
17
12
SP-20
G.B.-24
16
LIV-13
LIV-14
15
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Umbilicus
Sterno-
costal
angle
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