Atlas of Acupuncture

3 Anatomical Orientation

Acromion (
Figs 3.39, 3.42, 3.43)

When palpating the shoulder joint from a lateral direction, the

acromion can be felt as a bony extension with a flat surface,

slightly superior to the laterally protruding head of the humerus.

Scapular spine (
Figs 3.39–3.44)

The scapular spine forms a bony ridge that originates at the

acromion and runs in an oblique angle across the scapula, end-

ing at its medial border in an upward opening curve. This is the

location of 
S.I.-13, 
L.I.-16is located on the most lateral

portion of the trapezius and supraspinatus muscles, in the angle

between the acromial origin of the scapular spine and the

acromioclavicular joint.

Head of the humerus, shoulder hollows

(
Figs 3.42, 3.44)

The head of the humerus is located inferior to the acromion and

protrudes slightly on the lateral aspect of the shoulder. When

abducting the arm horizontally, two hollows will form at the

transition from the arm to the shoulder. The anterior hollow is

the location of 
L.I.-15, while 
T.B.-14is located in the pos-

terior one. The hollows mark the border between the clavicular

and acromial portion and the border between the acromial and

spinal portion of the deltoid muscle.

Clavicle L.I.-16 AC joint

Acromion

C7, spinous process

T1, spinous process S.I.-13

Fig. 3.41

Fig. 3.40

Triceps brachii,

long head

Trapezius

Scapular

spine

Deltoid

Teres major

Triceps brachii,

lateral head

Biceps brachii

Acromion

Humerus

Scapula

Supraspinatus

Biceps brachii,

tendon of the

long head

Acromion

Facies articularis clavicularis

Biceps brachii,

tendon of the

long head

Head of the

humerus

Fig. 3.43

Fig. 3.42