Atlas of Acupuncture

2 Location Methods and Cun Measurements

Finger cun Body cun or proportional cun – the most

commonly used proportional distances

Tip for locating the end of the axillary fold: The anterior or pos-

terior axillary fold defines the end of the axilla, forming a fold in

the skin (both anteriorly and posteriorly), where the arm joins

the thorax. The axillary fold is the reference point for any cun

measurements on the upper arm (Figs 2.2, 2.3, LU-3 and LU-

4), which can be found by asking the patient to adduct his/her

arm and to insert his/her flat hand into the axilla. The end of the

axillary fold points in a superior direction, terminating at the

lower border of the pectoralis major muscle, which in this area

extends to its insertion in the humerus, below the deltoid muscle.

The end of the axillary fold may vary considerably, depending

on the individual proportions, positioning of the arm and flexing

of the muscles. It should therefore be located with the patient’s

arms hanging down in a relaxed way.

D

E

F

E:

2 cun:

finger-width

F:

3 cun:

finger-width

1.5

3

D:

1.5 cun:

finger-width

1

2

B:

2 cun:

index finger

B C

C:

1 cun:

middle finger

1

A:

1 cun:

thumb

A

2

Fig 2.1

A 1 cun as thumb measure The width of the interphalangeal

joint of the thumb at its widest

point

B 2 cun as index finger The distance of the two distal

measure phalanges of the index finger

C 1 cun as middle finger With the tip of the middle finger

measure placed on the thumb, the

distance between the ends of the

creases of the interphalangeal

joints of the middle finger

D 1.5 cun as two-finger The width of the index and

measure middle finger when placed

closely together, at the level of

the distal interphalangeal joints

E 2 cun as index, middle The width of the index, middle

and ring finger measure and ring finger when placed

closely together, at the level of

the distal interphalangeal joints

F 3 cun as four finger The width of the four fingers

measure when placed closely together,

at the level of the distal

interphalangeal joints

(
1 hand-breadth)

3

12

3

13 16

(^1819)
5
8
8
12
9
9
9
Suprasternal fossa
Sternocostalangle
Centre ofthe umbilicus
Upper borderof the pubic
symphysis
Upper patellarborder
Transitionshaft/medial
condyle of thetibia
Highestprominence
of the lateralmalleolus
Highest
prominenceof the lateral
malleolus
Highestprominence
of the medialmalleolus
Highestprominence
of the medialmalleolus
Popliteal crease
Highestprominence
of the greatertrochanter
Wristjoint
space
Cubital crease
(^9) End of theaxillary fold
Poplitealcrease
Glutealcrease
1 cun 3 cunLower border
of the heel
14 cun
Fig. 2.2