Acupuncture Point Location Flashcards
6 cards from real NCCAOM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Acupuncture Point Location flashcards as text
A practitioner needs to locate ST36 (Zusanli). Which of the following descriptions provides the most accurate location for this point?
Answer: 3 cun inferior to ST35, one finger-breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia.
ST36 (Zusanli) is located on the anterior aspect of the lower leg, 3 cun directly below ST35 (Dubi), which is in the depression below the patella. It is found one finger-breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia, on the tibialis anterior muscle.
To locate LU7 (Lieque), a common technique involves crossing the thumbs and index fingers of both hands ('tiger's mouth'). When the index finger of one hand is placed on the styloid process of the radius of the other, where does the point lie?
Answer: In the depression directly under the tip of the index finger.
LU7 (Lieque) is located 1.5 cun proximal to the transverse wrist crease, superior to the styloid process of the radius. The practical location method described, often called the 'shake hands' method, places the tip of the index finger directly in the depression where the point is located.
A patient presents with nausea and anxiety. The practitioner decides to needle PC6 (Neiguan). What is the correct location of this point?
Answer: 2 cun proximal to the transverse wrist crease, between the two central tendons.
PC6 (Neiguan) is located 2 cun proximal to the anterior wrist crease, situated between the prominent tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis muscles.
Which of the following points is located 3 cun superior to the prominence of the medial malleolus, on the posterior border of the tibia?
Answer: SP6 (Sanyinjiao)
SP6 (Sanyinjiao), or 'Three Yin Intersection,' is located 3 cun (about four finger-widths) directly above the high point of the medial malleolus, on the posterior border of the tibia. It is the meeting point of the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney channels.
A patient has been diagnosed with Liver Qi Stagnation manifesting as irritability and pain in the hypochondriac region. The practitioner chooses to needle GB34 (Yanglingquan), the He-Sea point of the Gallbladder channel and the Influential Point of the sinews. Where is this point located?
Answer: On the lateral aspect of the lower leg, in the depression anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula.
GB34 (Yanglingquan) is precisely located on the lateral side of the lower leg, in the tender depression that is anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula.
A practitioner is treating a patient for a headache and facial pain. They decide to use the command point for the face and mouth, LI4 (Hegu). What is the most accurate way to locate this point?
Answer: On the dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones, at the midpoint of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.
LI4 (Hegu) is located on the dorsum of the hand, between the first and second metacarpal bones. A common method is to find the highest point of the muscle when the thumb and index finger are brought together. It is anatomically at the approximate midpoint of the second metacarpal bone on its radial aspect.