Atlas of Acupuncture

5.3 Du mai

Location

In a depression superior to the external occipital protuberance,

approximately 2.5 cun superior to the posterior hairline or 1.5

cun superior to ➞Du-16.

How to find

First, locate the external occipital protuberance (➞3.1.5), which

forms a hump-shaped projection on the posterior surface of the

occipital bone. Next, locate Du-17on the posterior midline, in a

depression directly superior to the protuberance. This corre-

sponds to a distance of approximately 2.5 cun superior to the

posterior hairline (➞3.1.5).

➞ Du-16 is located directly inferior to the protuberance,

whereas ➞BL-9is located 1.3 cun lateral to Du-17.

Needling

0.5–1 cun transversely (subcutaneously) in an inferior or

superior direction. Moxibustion controversial.

Actions/Indications

● Dispels Wind

● Opens the channel

● Benefits the eyes

● Calms the shen

Special features

Meeting point with the BL channel

Brain’s Door NAOHU Du-17

Du-17

Du-16

Hairline

1.5 cun

External

occipital

protuberance

C1

=(atlas)

Sagittal suture

Lambdoid suture

Occipitomastoid

suture

Parietal bone

Occipital bone

Mastoid

process

External occipital

protuberance

Du-16

BL-9 Du-17 BL-9

Du-17

Du-16

1.3 cun

BL-9

ca.

2.5 cun

External

occipital

protuberance

M

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