Atlas of Acupuncture

3.3 Shoulder and Arm

Dorsal wrist joint space (‘dorsal wrist crease’)

(
Fig. 3.63)

For the location of points on the dorsal aspect of the hand and

forearm, many Chinese textbooks quote the dorsal wrist crease

for anatomical reference. Since this crease may vary in location,

the space between the proximal row of the carpal bones and the

radius/ulna should be used instead. This space can be easily pal-

pated by gently moving the wrist joint. 
T.B.-4and Ex-UE-3

(zhongquan) are both located here.

Pisiform bone and ulnar border of the hand

(
Fig. 3.64)

On the ulnar border of the hand, distal to the wrist joint space,

the pisiform bone is again a good landmark for orientation. It

can be felt as a distinct prominence between the joint space and

the head of the 5th metacarpal bone, separating 
S.I.-4(distal)

and 
S.I.-5(proximal).

Anatomical ‘snuff box’ (
Fig. 3.65)

With the thumb abducted, the ‘anatomical snuffbox’ forms a

depression at the radial aspect of the wrist joint space, which

opens towards the body when the hand is held in a horizontal

position. It is bordered by the tendons of the extensor pollicis

longus and brevis muscles. 
L.I.-5is located in the ‘snuff box’.

T.B.-4

Wrist joint space

Tendon of

extensor

digiti minimi

Tendons of

extensor

digitorum

Styloid process

of the ulna

Ex-UE-3

(zhongquan)

S.I.-4

S.I.-5

Ulna

Pisiform

5th metacarpal

Fig. 3.63

Fig. 3.64

L.I.-5

Tendon of extensor

pollicis longus

Tendon of extensor

pollicis brevis

Styoid process

of the radius

LU-7

Fig. 3.65