Atlas of Acupuncture

5.2 Ren mai

Location

On the anterior midline, superior to the upper border of the

hyoid bone.

How to find

The hyoid bone can be palpated as a delicate bony structure

slightly superior to the upper border of the laryngeal promi-

nence. The patient should not recline their head too much, as this

will cause the soft tissue to become stretched, making palpation

of the bone difficult. Ren-23is located on the midline, on the

upper border of the hyoid bone and at the junction of the vertical

aspect of the neck to the horizontal floor of the mouth (with nor-

mal tissue distribution).

Needling

0.3–1 cun obliquely in a superior direction towards the vertex

(➞Du-20). Moxibustion is contraindicated according to some

texts.

Actions/Indications

● Benefits the tongue

● Benefits the throat, eliminates Phlegm and Heat

● Strengthens the voice

Special features

Meeting point with the yin wei mai

Corner Spring LIANQUAN Ren-23

Ren-23

Hyoid bone

Laryngeal cartilage

G.B.-12

S.I.-17

S.I.-16

L.I.-17

ST- 9

ST-12

T.B.-16

T.B.-17

ST-5 ST-6

Ren-23 L.I.-18

ST-11

Ex-HN

(anmian)

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