FREE NCCAOM Acupuncture Point Location Questions and Answers

Question 1

A practitioner needs to locate ST36 (Zusanli). Which of the following descriptions provides the most accurate location for this point?

Accepted Answer

3 cun inferior to ST35, one finger-breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia.

Answer

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.

Question 2

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?

Accepted Answer

In the depression directly under the tip of the index finger.

Answer

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.

Question 3

A patient presents with nausea and anxiety. The practitioner decides to needle PC6 (Neiguan). What is the correct location of this point?

Accepted Answer

2 cun proximal to the transverse wrist crease, between the two central tendons.

Answer

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.

Question 4

Which of the following points is located 3 cun superior to the prominence of the medial malleolus, on the posterior border of the tibia?

Accepted Answer

SP6 (Sanyinjiao)

Answer

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.

Question 5

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?

Accepted Answer

On the lateral aspect of the lower leg, in the depression anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula.

Answer

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.

(NCCAOM) National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Practice Test

(NCCAOM) National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Practice Test

FREE NCCAOM Acupuncture Point Location Questions and Answers