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GV-23 Upper Star
上星 〔上星〕 shàng xīng
Alternate names: 鬼堂 guǐ táng, Ghost Hall; 名堂 míng táng, Hall of Fame; 明堂 míng táng, Bright Hall; 神堂 shén táng, Spirit Hall
Channel: GV, governing (dū) vessel
Modern location: An acupoint located on the superior aspect of the head, 1 cùn within the anterior hairline on the midline.
Classical location: Behind Spirit Court (GV-24) in the depression one cùn within the hairline; it can contain a bean. From
Local anatomy: The branches of the frontal artery and vein, the branches of the superficial temporal artery and vein. The branch of the frontal nerve.
Action: Courses and regulates localized channel qì; dispels wind and brightens the eyes; clears heat and staunches bleeding; disperses evils and frees the orifices.
Modern indications: Headache; eye pain; deep-source nasal congestion; nosebleed; mania and withdrawal; malarial disease; febrile disease.
Classical indications: Head wind; vacuity swelling of the head and face; nasal polyps;
Needle stimulus: Needling: 0.3‒0.4 cùn backward transverse insertion. Moxa: 3 cones; pole 5‒10 min.
Point groups: One of the thirteen ghost points.
Point name meaning:
The word 星 (xīng), meaning star,
was probably chosen for this point name because stars are located in the heavens and thus parallel the position of the head relative to the body. Furthermore, a star is the essence of the myriad things.
This point is located on the front and top (both yáng) part of the head (also yáng) and is thus, like a star, the essence of yáng qì. The adjective upper
is most likely a reference to the point’s location on the top of the head.
The essence of the five viscera is reflected in the eyes, and the point treats eye disorders. A star being the essence of the myriad things,
the point’s name also denotes function.
The alternate names Bright Hall and Spirit Hall can be considered indicative of