2.1.4.1 Cyclical flowing and distribution
The large intestine meridian starts from the tip of the index finger. It runs upward along the radial side of the index finger and passes through the interstice of the first and second metacarpal bones, dipping into the depression between the tendons of m. extensor pollicis longus and brevis. Following the lateral anterior aspect of the forearm, it reaches the lateral side of the elbow where it ascends along the lateral anterior aspect of the upper arm to the highest point of the shoulder. Along the anterior border of the acromion, it goes up to the seventh cervical vertebra and descends to the supraclavicular fossa to connect with the lung. It then passes through the diaphragm and enters the large intestine to which it pertains.
The branch from the supraclavicular fossa runs upward to the neck, passes through the cheek and enters the gums of the lower teeth. Then it curves around the upper lip and crosses the opposite meridian at the philtrum on the governor vessel and upward to both sides of the nose to connect with the stomach meridian(see Fig.19)
Fig. 19 Flowing route of the large intestine meridian of hand-yangming
Associated viscera: Large intestine and lung.
Associated organs: Mouth, lower teeth and nose.
2.1.4.2 Indications
Disorders of the mouth, teeth, nose and throat as well as diseases involving the lateral border of the upper limbs, anterior part of the shoulder and neck.
2.1.4.3 Commonly used acupoints
2.1.4.3.1 Shangyang (LI 1)
Location: The acupoint is located on the radial side of the index finger, about 0. 1 cun latero-posterior to the corner of the nail (see Fig. 20).
Indications. Apoplexy, coma, toothache, deafness, numbness of fingers and high fever.
Note: Jing-Well acupoint of the large intestine meridian of hand-yangming.
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Fig. 20 Hand acupionts on the large intestine meridian of hand-yangming
2.1.4.3.2 Erjian (LI2)
Location: When the hand clenches, the acupoint is on the radial side of the index finger, distal to the metacar- pal-phalangeal joint and in the depression on the radial side(see Fig. 20).
Indications: Toothache, facial paralysis, dry mouth, sore throat, numbness of fingers and febrile disease.
Note: Ying-Spring acupoint of the large intestine meridian of hand-yangming.
2.1.4.3.3 Sanjian (LI 3)
Location: When the hand slightly clenches, the acupoint is on the radial side of the index finger, in the depression behind the second metacarpophalangeal joint
(see Fig. 20).
Indications: Toothache, epistaxis, sore throat, swelling and pain of the dorsum of hand, numbness of fingers and somnolence.
Note: Shu-Stream acupoint of the large intestine meridian of hand-yangming.
2.1.4.3.4 Hegu (LI4)
Location: The acupoint is located on the dorsum of the hand, between the first and second metacarpal bones, approximately in the middle of the second metacarpal bone on the radial side (see Fig. 20). When the transverse crease of the interphalangeal joint of the thumb is placed in coincident position with the margin of the web between the thumb and the index finger of the other hand, the acupoint is where the tip of the thumb touches (see Fig. 21). When the thumb and index finger join together, the prominence of the muscle is the location of the acupoint. When the thumb and the index finger open, the middle point on the line from the web between the thumb and index finger to the line connecting the first and second metacarpal bones is the location of the acupoint.
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Fig. 21 Simple way to lacate Hegu(LI4) on the large intestin meridian of hand-angming
Indications: Redness, swelling and pain of eyes, facial paralysis, epistaxis, toothache, swelling pain of the throat, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, dysentery, common cold, cough, no sweating, profuse sweating, delayed labour, irregular menstruation, obstruction syndrome in apoplexy, infantile convulsion, paralysis and spasm of fingers.
Note: Yuan-Source acupoint of the large intestine meridian of hand-yangming.
2.1,4.3. 5 gangxi (LI 5)
Location: The acupoint is located on the radial side of the wrist. When the thumb is tilted upward, it is in the depression between the tendons of m. extensor pollicis
longus and brevis (see Fig. 20).
Indications. Headache, toothache, tinnitus, deafness, mania, epilepsy, and spasmodic pain in the wrist.
Note: Jing-River acupoint of the large intestine meridian of hand-yangming.
2.1.4.3.6 Pianli (LI 6)
Location: When the elbow is flexed, the acupoint is located at the radial side of the forearm, on the line joining Yangxi (LI 5) and Quchi (LI 11), 3 cun above the transverse crease on the wrist (see Fig. 22). Or it is located on the crossing point at the lower 1/4 and upper 3/4 of the line joining Yangxi (LI 5) and Quchi (LI 11).
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Fig. 22 Forearm acupionts on the large intestine meridian of hand-yangming
Indications: Tinnitus, deafness, toothache, facial paralysis and spasmodic pain in the forearm.
Note: Luo-Connecting acupoint of the large intestine meridian of hand-yangming.
2.1.4.3.7 Wenliu (LI 7)
Location: When the elbow is flexed, the acupoint is located at the radial side of the forearm, on the line joining Yangxi (LI 5) and Quchi (LI 11), and 5 cun above the transverse crease on the wrist (see Fig. 22). Or it is 1 cun below the middle point on the line joining Yangxi (LI 5) and Ouchi (LI 11).
Indications: Headache, epistaxis, sore throat, borborygmus, abdominal pain and aching pain in the shoulder and arm.
Note. Xi-Cleft acupoint of the large intestine meridian of hand-yangming.
2.1.4.3.8 Shousanli (LI 10)
Location: It is located on the line joining Yangxi (LI 5) and Quchi (LI 11), 2 cun below the transverse crease on the elbow (see Fig. 22).
Indications: Toothache, swelling of cheeks, borborygmus, abdominal pain, diarrhea and paralysis of the upper limbs.
2.1.4.3.9 Quchi (LI 11)
Location: When the elbow is flexed 90กใ, the acupoint is located on the middle point on the line joining Chize (LU 5) and the external epicondyle of the humerus (seeFig. 22 and 23). When the elbow is flexed as close as possible, the end of the transverse crease of the elbow at the radial side is the location of the acupoint.
Indications: Toothache, redness, swelling and pain of eyes, sore throat, abdominal pain, diarrhea, paralysis of the upper limbs, spasmodic pain of the elbow and arm, febrile disease, hypertension and urticaria.
Note: He-Sea acupoint of the large intestine meridian of hand-yangming.
2.1.4.3.10 Zhouliao (LI 12)
Location: When the elbow is flexed, the acupoint is located about 1 cun superolateral to Quchi (LI 11) and on the lateral border of the humerus (see Fig. 23).
Indications. Spasmodic pain in the elbow and arm, numbness of the upper limbs.
2.1.4.3.11 Shouwuli (LI 13)
Location: It is located on the line joining Quchi (LI11) and Jianyu (LI 15) and 3 cun above Quchi (LI 11)(see Fig. 23).
Indications: Spasmodic pain in the elbow and arm,scrofula and somnolence.
2.1.4.3.12 Binao (LI 14)
Location: It is located on the line joining Quchi (LI11) and Jianyu (LI 15), 7 cun above Quchi (LI 11) (seeFig. 23). Or it is superior to the lower end of m. deltoideus.
Indications: Pain in the shoulder and arm, stiff neck, shortsightedness, night blindness and scrofula.
2.1.4.3.13 Jianyu (LI 15)
Location: The acupoint is located anterior-inferior to the acromion, on the upper portion of m. deltoideus and between the acromion and greater tuberosity of humerus(see Fig. 23 ). When the arm is in full abduction, the acupoint is in the depression at the anterior border of the acromioclavicular joint.
Indications: Pain in the shoulder and arm, flaccidity of the upper limbs, urticaria and scrofula.
2.1.4.3.14 Fulu (LI 18)
Location: The acupoint is located on the lateral side of the laryngeal protuberance and between the sternal head and clavicular head of m. sternocleidomastoideus(see Fig. 24).
Fig. 24 Neck acupionts on the large ontestin meridian of hand-yangming |
Fig. 25 Head and gace acupionts on the large intestine meridian of hand-yangming |
Indications: Cough, asthma, sore throat, scrofula and goiter.
2.1.4.3.15 Kouheliao (LI 19)
Location: The acupoint is located right below the lateral margin of the nostril and parallel to Shuigou (GV 26)(see Fig. 25).
Indications: Toothache, facial paralysis and nose disorders.
2.1.4.3.16 Yingxiang (LI 20)
Location: The acupoint is located in the nasolabial groove and at the level of the midpoint of the lateral border of the nose (see Fig. 25).
Indications: Nasal obstruction, nasosinusitis, epistaxis, facial paralysis and syncope due to ascariasis.
