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HT-5 Connecting Lǐ

通里 〔通里〕 tōng lǐ

Alternate names: 通理 tōng lǐ, Connecting Grain

Channel: HT, hand lesser yīn (shào yīn) heart channel

Modern location: An acupoint located on the palmar aspect of the forearm, 1 cùn proximal to the wrist crease, on the radial side of the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon.

Classical location: In the depression one cùn behind the palm. From The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (针灸大成 zhēn jiǔ dà chéng)

Local anatomy: See HT-4.

Action: Quiets the spirit and regulates heart qì.

Modern indications: Heart palpitation; fearful throbbing; fulminant loss of voice; stiff tongue preventing speech; pain in the wrist and arm.

Classical indications: Throat impediment (hóu bì); profuse menstruation; visceral agitation (zàng zào).

Needle stimulus: Needling: 0.3‒0.5 cùn perpendicular insertion. Moxa: 1‒3 cones; pole 10‒20 min.

Needle sensation: Localized distension and twinge dispersing up and down the arm.

Point groups: Network (luò) point; one of Mǎ Dān-Yáng’s twelve heavenly star points.

Point name meaning:

If () is taken to mean a place, i.e., a village or ward, then the point name indicates a connecting place, a crossroads village. The rendering of the point name as Connecting Lǐ conveys the fact that HT-5 is the network (luò) point of the heart channel. The phrase 通里, tōng lǐ, can furthermore connote a return to one’s home village (里), highlighting HT-5 as the place where qì returns to the home channel.

In ancient China, the character () was often used to express the meaning associated with (), a homophone meaning inner or interior. Since () means to connect, rendering the point name Inward Connection also serves to illustrate that this is the network (luò) point of the channel. We see this also in the alternate name Connecting Grain, where the character implies a streak or vein like the grain in wood. The word grain indicates the fiber-like structure of wood and, by extension, the network vessel at HT-5. See acupoint names: origins, meanings, and translations.

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