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ST-12 Empty Basin
缺盆 〔缺盆〕 quē pén
Alternate names: 尺盖 chǐ gài, Cubit Cover; 天盖 tiān gài, Celestial Cover
Channel: ST, foot yáng brightness (yáng míng) stomach channel
Modern location: An acupoint located at the midpoint of the supraclavicular fossa, 4 cùn lateral to the midline.
Classical location: Below Qì Abode (ST-11), in the depression at the horizontal bone [i.e., the clavicle]. From
Local anatomy: Superiorly, the transverse cervical artery. Superficially, the intermediate supraclavicular nerve; deeper, the supraclavicular portion of the brachial plexus.
Action: Diffuses and downbears lung qì; frees the channels and quickens the network vessels; regulates qì and the blood.
Modern indications: Cough; panting; painful swollen throat; pain in the supraclavicular fossa; scrofula.
Classical indications: Fullness in the chest, panting and cough; stiff nape; scrofula; throat impediment (hóu bì); hiccup; pain in the shoulder stretching into the neck; coughing of blood; lumbar pain preventing movement; heat in the chest; severe drum distension qì.
Needle stimulus: Needling: 0.3.-.5 cùn perpendicular insertion. Moxa: 3‒5 cones; pole 5‒10 min.
Warning: Deep insertion contraindicated.
Point name meaning:
Traditionally, the clavicle was called 盆骨 (gǔ pén) a term which translates literally as basin bone.
The supraclavicular fossa was referred to as quē pén (缺盆), because its shape is reminiscent of an empty basin.
The name of this point is an obvious reference to its location above the clavicle.
Because the clavicle resembles the broken rim of a basin, the location of