Atlas of Acupuncture

5.3 Du mai

Location

On the occiput, on the posterior midline, in the depression

between the 1st (atlas) and 2nd (axis) cervical vertebrae, approx-

imately 0.5 cun inferior to ➞Du-16(directly below the external

occipital protuberance).

How to find

The external occipital protuberance (➞3.1.5) is a hump-shaped

projection on the posterior surface of the occipital bone, on

the midline and slightly superior to the craniocervical junction

(➞3.1.5). ➞Du-16is located in a depression on the posterior

midline that you can palpate directly inferior to the protuber-

ance. From there, glide 0.5 cun in an inferior direction and locate

Du-15superior to the first palpable spinous process (belonging

to the axis; the atlas has no spinous process) and approximately

0.5 cun superior to the posteror hairline.

Located on the same level is ➞BL-10(on the lateral aspect of

the trapezius muscle).

Needling

0.5–1 cun strictly perpendicularly in an inferior direction. Cau-

tion: Injury to the cervical marrow. According to classic texts,

moxibustion is contraindicated.

Actions/Indications

● Benefits the tongue, ears, neck and spine

● Dispels Wind

● Clears Yang Heat/excess

Special features

Meeting point with the yang wei mai. Sea of Qi point.

Gate of Muteness YAMEN Du-15

External

occipital

protuberance

Atlas

G.B.-20 Lower

border of

the occiput

BL-10

Du-14

Du-15

Occipital

bone

1st palpable

spinous

process

Trapezius,

superior

fibres

Sternocleido-

mastoid

Du-16

G.B.-20

Axis

Sagittal suture

Lambdoid suture

Occipitomastoid

suture

Parietal bone

Occipital bone

Mastoid

process

External occipital

protuberance

Du-16

BL-9 Du-17 BL-9

Du-14

Extension and

flexion of the

head

S.I.-15

G.B.-21

2 fingers on the

spinous processes

of C6 and 7

G.B.-20

Du-15

Du-14

G.B.-12

G.B.-19 BL-9 Du-17

Du-16

BL-10

G.B.-21

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