Atlas of Acupuncture

4 Acupuncture Points of the Twelve Primary Channels

Location

At the midpoint of the line joining ➞ST-35and ➞ST-41and

2 fingerbreadths lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia or 1 finger-

breadth lateral to ➞ST-38, between the extensor digitorum

longus and peroneus brevis muscles.

How to find

Quick method:Spreading-hands technique (➞2.3.3): Place the

little fingers on ➞ST-35(‘lateral eye of the knee’, level with the

knee joint space) and ➞ST-41(in the depression between the ten-

dons of the extensor digitorum longus and the hallucis longus,

level with the highest prominence of the lateral malleolus) and

determine the midpoint of this line, using the thumb. ST-40is

located in a depression 2 fingerbreadths (2 middle fingerbreadths,

measured from the anterior crest of the tibia) lateral to this point.

ST-40may be palpated ‘dynamically’ (according to pressure sen-

sitivity). Located on the same level (8 cun proximal to the highest

prominence of the lateral malleolus) are ➞ST-38(1 fingerbreadth

lateral to the tibia) and ➞BL-57(on the dorsal aspect of the lower

leg, halfway between ➞BL-40and ➞BL-60).

Needling

Vertically or obliquely 1–1.5 cun

Actions/Indications

● Transforms Dampness and Phlegm, clears Phlegm in the

Lung and Heart, calms the shen

Special features

Luo-connecting point. Main acupuncture point for eliminating

Phlegm.

ST-40 Abundant Bulge FENGLONG

ST-33

ST-34

ST-35

ST-36

G.B.-34

ST-37

ST-38

ST-39

SP-10

Ex-LE-4

SP-9

LIV-8

LIV-9

ST-40

Ex-LE-2

14

15

16

17

18

19

4 8 cun

5

6

7

8

9

10

1

2

3

Midpoint

Poplitealcrease (^20) cun
Upper
border of
Ex-LE-1 the patella
Ex-LE-3
ST-38
on the tibialis
anterior muscle
Crest of the tibia
1 fingerbreadth
BL-57
ST-35
Crest of the tibia
Highest prominence
of the lateral malleolus
8 cun
8 cun
ST-38
ST-40
1 finger-width
ST-35
Level of ST-41
Crest of
the tibia
Ch04.3-F10028.qxd 2/22/08 8:43 PM Page 168