Atlas of Acupuncture

3 Anatomical Orientation

3.1.4 Ear Region

Note:points used in auricular acupuncture are not discussed

here.

Helix root (
Figs 3.25, 3.26)

The helix root borders the upper part of the ear. This is the loca-

tion of 
T.B.-22.

Supratragic notch (
Figs 3.25, 3.26)

The supratragic notch forms an incisure within the cartilage of

the ear, separating the helix root from the tragus. 
T.B.-21is

located anterior to it.

Tragus (
Figs 3.25, 3.26)


S.I.-19is located anterior to the midpoint of the tragus.

Intertragic notch (
Figs 3.25, 3.26)

The intertragic notch forms an incisure in the auricular cartilage,

separating the tragus from the lobe and antitragus. 
G.B.-2is

located anterior to this notch.

Ear lobe (
Figs 3.25, 3.26)

Inferior to the earlobe and the ear canal is a depression, which is

bordered posteriorly by the mastoid process and anteriorly by

the lower jaw. The lower border is formed by the transverse

process of the 1st cervical vertebra (atlas). 
T.B.-17is located

in this depression.

Border between the auricle and the face

(
Fig. 3.26)

The border between the auricle and the temple/cheek generally

forms a more or less vertical line, which will become more

clearly defined by bending the auricle and tragus towards the

anterior. Several points are located along this line (from top to

bottom): 
T.B.-22, T.B.-21, S.I.-19, G.B.-2.

Mastoid process (
Figs 3.26, 3.27)

The mastoid process is a cone-shaped bony structure which can

be palpated posterior to the ear. 
G.B.-12is located at its tip,

while 
anmian(Ex-HN) can be found at the border of the mas-

toid process and the occiput. 
yiming(Ex-HN-14) is located

somewhat more inferiorly.

Helix

Antihelix

Antitragus

Lobe

Helix root

Tragus

Intertragic

notch

Supratragic

notch

T.B.-17

Ex-HN Mastoid process

(anmian)

Ex-HN-14

(yiming)

G.B.-12

Helix root

T.B.-22

T.B.-21

S.I.-19

G.B.-2

Sternocleidomastoid

Transverse process

of the atlas

Intertragic notch

Tragus

Supratragic notch

Occipital

bone

Ex-HN

Ex-HN-14(anmian)

(yiming)

G.B.-12

Mastoid process

Fig. 3.27

Fig. 3.25

Fig. 3.26