Human Acupoint Atlas with Complete Anatomical Illustrations

Author: Huang Boling et al. (Editor-in-Chief)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-02-01
Features: Acupuncture and moxibustion are important components of traditional Chinese medicine and a medical discipline with distinct cultural characteristics of the Chinese nation. With China's opening-up, acupuncture therapy is rapidly gaining global recognition due to its unique advantages and is being embraced by people worldwide. The number of individuals learning acupuncture is continuously increasing. Meridian points are the foundation of acupuncture and moxibustion. Based on a thorough understanding of human anatomy, mastering the methods of identifying meridian points and achieving the correct angle and depth of needle insertion are key to learning and mastering acupuncture techniques. To assist students and enthusiasts in learning acupuncture both domestically and internationally, and to systematically understand the anatomical locations of meridian points from an anatomical perspective—especially the critical points—preventing needle-induced injuries, we have organized the compilation of the Complete Anatomical Atlas of Human Meridian Points.
This atlas employs full-body cross-sectional anatomical photographs and includes all 361 meridian points and some extra-meridian extraordinary points. Next to each cross-sectional anatomical photograph, the needle insertion path and surrounding tissues are labeled. The points are arranged in the order of the four major meridians. During the photographing process, the specimens were treated using the method of frozen anatomical bodies. For a male cadaver of medium build and moderate fatness, after precise localization and preliminary marking, cross-sectional anatomical dissections of all meridian points and some extra-meridian points were performed from sagittal, coronal, and horizontal planes. Before photographing the dissected specimens, they were slightly thawed after being frozen, allowing the tissue to become moist. Then, a filiform needle was used as a prop, and a digital camera was employed to photograph the cross-sectional profiles of the points. The images were subsequently processed using computer technology.
The names, locations, and cross-sectional anatomical descriptions of all meridian points in this atlas are based on the Compilation Guidelines for Meridian Point Locations and the Literary and Anatomical Examination of Meridian Point Locations, both compiled by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The needle insertion depths are based on the depths provided in the Meridian Point Textbook for higher medical colleges, edited by Yang Jiasan. When positioning the filiform needle prop, the depth specified in this book for the deepest insertion of the respective point is generally used. For example, if the insertion depth for a point is 0.5 cun, a 0.5-cun filiform needle is used to fully insert the needle body. If the insertion depth is 0.8 cun, a 1-cun filiform needle is used, with the needle body inserted to 4/5 of its length, and so on. However, for a few points located in special areas such as the abdomen, and due to differences between cadavers and living bodies, the needle tip may penetrate the intestines if inserted to the specified depth. Therefore, the insertion depth is appropriately reduced.
The therapeutic indications and notes for meridian points in this atlas are referenced from the Acupuncture and Moxibustion Textbook for higher medical colleges, edited by Qiu Maoliang, to ensure standardization. The photographs of acupuncture mannequins in the book were taken from the Medical History Exhibition Hall of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine.