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Alternate names: 掖门 yè mén, Armpit Gate

Channel: TB, hand lesser yáng (shào yáng) triple burner channel

Modern location: An acupoint located on the dorsal aspect of the hand, proximal to the margin of the web between the fourth and fifth fingers, level with the metacarpophalangeal (mcp) articulation of the fourth finger.

Classical location: In the depression between the little finger and the one next to it. From The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (针灸甲乙经 zhēn jiǔ jiǎ yǐ jīng)

Local anatomy: The dorsal digital artery of the ulnar artery. The dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve.

Action: Courses the channels and quickens the network vessels; reduces swelling and relieves pain; clears and drains evil heat in the triple burner.

Modern indications: Headache; red eyes; deafness; painful swollen throat; malarial disease; pain in the arm and hand.

Classical indications: Fright palpitation and raving; red facial complexion and tearing; aching among the upper teeth; shortness of breath; wind-heat and wind-cold; ear pain; tinnitus; pain in the dorsum of the hand; dry eyes.

Needle stimulus: Needling: 0.2‒0.5 cùn perpendicular insertion. Moxa: 3 cones; pole 5‒10 min.

Point groups: Spring (yíng) (water) point.

Point name meaning:

• 液 yè: humor, water, fluid
• 门 mén: gate, door

TB-2 is the spring (yíng) (water) point of the triple burner channel. Since the triple burner channel is responsible for water distribution in the three burners, its water point is especially important. The character 液 (yè) means humor, i.e., the thicker fluids in the body, and highlights the moistening function of this point. The ideograph 门 (mén) refers to the entry and exit of qì at this point; hence the name Humor Gate. The functions of this point of addressing vexation heat, increasing fluids and regulating the waterways are all reflected in its name.

In the earliest extant text devoted entirely to acupuncture, the The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (针灸甲乙经 zhēn jiǔ jiā yǐ jīng), this point is called Armpit Gate. Note the similarity of the characters 腋 (yè), armpit, and 液 yè, humor??. This earlier name may have referred to the effectiveness of this point in treating disorders of the upper arm. Formerly the word for armpit was sometimes written 掖 instead of 腋, i.e., with the hand (or arm) radical instead of the flesh radical, thus resulting in two alternate names of the same meaning. See acupoint names: origins, meanings, and translations.

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