Atlas of Acupuncture

3 Anatomical Orientation

Axillary line (
Fig. 3.92)

The axillary line is an imaginary line for orientation on the lat-

eral aspect of the thorax and abdomen. It runs vertically from the

middle of the axilla in an inferior direction. Both 
G.B.-22and

SP-21are located on this line.

Free end of the 11th rib (
Figs 3.91, 3.92)

The free end of the 11th rib can be palpated below the costal car-

tilage, at the transitional zone from the thorax to the abdomen.

Location tip: the patient places his/her flexed elbow (90° angle)

alongside his/her thorax. The tip of the olecranon will then usu-

ally be close to the free end of the 11th rib. 
LIV-13is located

below its anterior lower border.

2nd rib

Coracoid process

Xiphoid

process

11th rib

Free end of the

11th rib

Free end of the

12th rib

Sternocostal

angle

Manubriosternal

synchondrosis

Axillary line

SP-21

4th ICS

5th ICS

6th ICS

11th rib

LIV-13

G.B.-22

Fig. 3.91

Fig. 3.92