Mouse Acupuncture Points Atlas
English-first atlas of 40 core laboratory mouse acupuncture points based on T/CAAM 0003-2020, including 39 standard points and 1 highly recognized common research point, optimized for professional research navigation.
Standard Overview
T/CAAM 0003-2020
This page follows the official group standard for the nomenclature, location, and local anatomy of common acupoints in laboratory mice. The atlas is optimized for research readability and cross-study consistency.
English-first Format
To match the atlas style used on other animal point pages, point names are presented primarily in English transliteration and international code format, with Chinese names and short notes displayed only inside the point cards and table.
Research Focus
The page is designed for laboratory research navigation, not individual point detail pages. Needle depth, stimulation method, and point selection should follow institutional animal care policy and trained personnel judgment.
Most Commonly Used Points
ST36 - Housanli (后三里)
Code: ST36 - Housanli (后三里)
Region: Hindlimb
Research use: Gastrointestinal dysfunctions, immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory regulation, analgesia.
SP6 - Sanyinjiao (三阴交)
Code: SP6 - Sanyinjiao (三阴交)
Region: Hindlimb
Research use: Reproductive endocrine system, urological disorders.
GB30 - Huantiao (环跳)
Code: GB30 - Huantiao (环跳)
Region: Hindlimb
Research use: Sciatic neuralgia, hindlimb paralysis / paresis.
PC6 - Neiguan (内关)
Code: PC6 - Neiguan (内关)
Region: Forelimb
Research use: Cardiovascular & gastrointestinal disorders, anxiety, antiemetic regulation.
BL21 - Weishu (胃俞)
Code: BL21 - Weishu (胃俞)
Region: Trunk & Back
Research use: Gastrointestinal motility disorders, dyspepsia.
LI4 - Hegu (合谷)
Code: LI4 - Hegu (合谷)
Region: Forelimb
Research use: Analgesia, upper respiratory tract infections, homeostatic regulation.
Search and Filter
40 Core Mouse Acupoints List
| No. | Code | English Name | 中文名 | Pinyin | Region | Location Summary | Needling Reference | Research Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GV26 | Shuigou (GV26) | 水沟 | Shuǐgōu | Head & Neck | On the anterior midline, at the upper split center of the philtrum below the nose tip | Oblique insertion superiorly 1mm | Acute emergencies, cerebral ischemia, neurological modulation |
| 2 | CV24 | Chengjiang (CV24) | 承浆 | Chéngjiāng | Head & Neck | Below the lower lip, 1mm inferior to the hair margin | Oblique insertion or prick to bleed | Neurological disorders, analgesia |
| 3 | CV22 | Tiantu (CV22) | 天突 | Tiāntū | Head & Neck | On the anterior midline, at the center of the suprasternal fossa | Subcutaneous insertion inferiorly 1-2mm | Respiratory disorders, asthma models |
| 4 | CV17 | Danzhong (CV17) | 膻中 | Dànzhōng | Trunk & Back | On the anterior midline, level with the 4th intercostal space | Subcutaneous insertion 1-2mm | Pulmonary and cardiac disorders |
| 5 | CV12 | Zhongwan (CV12) | 中脘 | Zhōngwǎn | Trunk & Back | Midpoint of the line connecting the umbilicus and the xiphoid process tip | Perpendicular insertion 2-4mm | Digestive system dysfunctions, gastric pain |
| 6 | CV8 | Shenque (CV8) | 神阙 | Shénquè | Trunk & Back | At the center of the umbilicus | Moxibustion mainly, acupuncture contraindicated | Immunomodulation, digestive regulation |
| 7 | CV4 | Guanyuan (CV4) | 关元 | Guānyuán | Trunk & Back | On the anterior midline, approximately 10mm inferior to the umbilicus | Perpendicular insertion 2-4mm | Urogenital disorders, immunomodulation, anti-aging research |
| 8 | GV14 | Dazhui (GV14) | 大椎 | Dàzhuī | Head & Neck | On the posterior midline, in the depression between C7 and T1 spinous processes | Perpendicular insertion 3-5mm | Pyrexia, immunomodulation |
| 9 | BL13 | Feishu (BL13) | 肺俞 | Fèishū | Trunk & Back | 3mm lateral to the lower border of the T3 spinous process | Oblique insertion 2-3mm | Respiratory disorders, asthma, allergic reactions |
| 10 | BL15 | Xinshu (BL15) | 心俞 | Xīnshū | Trunk & Back | 3mm lateral to the lower border of the T5 spinous process | Oblique insertion 2-3mm | Cardiac disorders, anxiety, neurasthenia |
| 11 | BL17 | Geshu (BL17) | 膈俞 | Géshū | Trunk & Back | 3mm lateral to the lower border of the T7 spinous process | Oblique insertion 2-3mm | Hematological disorders, diaphragmatic spasm (hiccup) |
| 12 | BL20 | Pishu (BL20) | 脾俞 | Píshū | Trunk & Back | 3mm lateral to the lower border of the T12 spinous process | Oblique insertion 2-3mm | Digestive disorders, immunomodulation, anemia |
| 13 | BL21 | Weishu (BL21) | 胃俞 | Wèishū | Trunk & Back | 3mm lateral to the spine, level with Pishu (lower border of T12) | Oblique insertion 2-3mm | Gastrointestinal motility disorders, dyspepsia |
| 14 | GV6 | Jizhong (GV6) | 脊中 | Jízhōng | Trunk & Back | In the depression between T11 and T12 spinous processes | Perpendicular insertion 2-3mm | Lumbago, digestive system research |
| 15 | GV4 | Mingmen (GV4) | 命门 | Mìngmén | Trunk & Back | On the posterior midline, in the depression below the L2 spinous process | Perpendicular insertion 2-4mm | Lumbar pain, renal disorders, reproductive modulation |
| 16 | BL23 | Shenshu (BL23) | 肾俞 | Shènshū | Trunk & Back | 3mm lateral to the lower border of the L2 spinous process | Perpendicular insertion 2-4mm | Renal disorders, reproductive system, auditory deficits |
| 17 | ST36 | Housanli (ST36) | 后三里 | Hòusānlǐ | Hindlimb | Lateral to knee joint, 3mm inferior to the fibular head in the muscle groove | Perpendicular insertion 2-4mm | Gastrointestinal disorders, immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory, analgesia |
| 18 | ST37 | Shangjuxu (ST37) | 上巨虚 | Shàngjùxū | Hindlimb | 3mm inferior to ST36, between the tibia and fibula | Perpendicular insertion 2-4mm | Digestive system dysfunctions, appendicitis models |
| 19 | ST40 | Fenglong (ST40) | 丰隆 | Fēnglóng | Hindlimb | Midpoint of the lateral lower leg, ~15mm superior to the lateral malleolus | Perpendicular insertion 2-4mm | Phlegm elimination models, metabolic dysregulation/obesity |
| 20 | SP6 | Sanyinjiao (SP6) | 三阴交 | Sānyīnjiāo | Hindlimb | Medial side of hindlimb, 5-7mm superior to the medial malleolus tip | Perpendicular insertion 2-4mm | Reproductive endocrine system, urological disorders |
| 21 | GB30 | Huantiao (GB30) | 环跳 | Huántiào | Hindlimb | In the depression posterosuperior to the hindlimb greater trochanter | Perpendicular insertion 3-5mm | Sciatic neuralgia, hindlimb paralysis / paresis |
| 22 | GB34 | Yanglingquan (GB34) | 阳陵泉 | Yánglíngquán | Hindlimb | Lateral lower leg, in the depression anteroinferior to the fibular head | Perpendicular insertion 2-4mm | Hepatobiliary disorders, locomotor system regulation |
| 23 | SP9 | Yinlingquan (SP9) | 阴陵泉 | Yīnlíngquán | Hindlimb | Medial lower leg, in the depression posteroinferior to the medial tibial condyle | Perpendicular insertion 2-4mm | Spleen strengthening, diuresis, urinary disorders |
| 24 | BL40 | Weizhong (BL40) | 委中 | Wěizhōng | Hindlimb | Posterior knee joint center, midpoint of the popliteal crease | Perpendicular insertion 1-2mm | Lumbar pain, lower limb paralysis |
| 25 | BL57 | Chengshan (BL57) | 承山 | Chéngshān | Hindlimb | Posterior lower leg, apex of the depression between gastrocnemius bellies | Perpendicular insertion 2-3mm | Lumbar and leg pain, hemorrhoids |
| 26 | BL60 | Kunlun (BL60) | 昆仑 | Kūnlún | Hindlimb | Lateral side of hindlimb, depression between lateral malleolus and Achilles tendon | Perpendicular insertion 1-2mm | Lumbar pain, cephalalgia (headache) |
| 27 | KI3 | Taixi (KI3) | 太溪 | Tàixī | Hindlimb | Medial side of hindlimb, depression between medial malleolus and Achilles tendon | Perpendicular insertion 1-2mm | Renal disorders, lumbar pain |
| 28 | LR3 | Taichong (LR3) | 太冲 | Tàichōng | Hindlimb | Dorsal hindlimb, depression proximal to the 1st and 2nd metatarsal junction | Perpendicular insertion 1-2mm | Hypertension, hepatic disorders |
| 29 | KI1 | Yongquan (KI1) | 涌泉 | Yǒngquán | Hindlimb | In the depression at the center of the hind paw plantar surface | Perpendicular insertion 1mm | Yin nourishing, clearance of pathogenic fire |
| 30 | LI11 | Quchi (LI11) | 曲池 | Qūchí | Forelimb | In the depression anterolateral to the proximal radial joint | Perpendicular insertion 1-2mm | Upper limb disorders, hypertension models |
| 31 | LU5 | Chize (LU5) | 尺泽 | Chǐzé | Forelimb | In the depression on the radial side of the cubital crease | Perpendicular insertion 1-2mm | Respiratory disorders, upper limb pain |
| 32 | HT3 | Shaohai (HT3) | 少海 | Shàohǎi | Forelimb | In the depression between medial cubital crease and humeral epicondyle | Perpendicular insertion 1-2mm | Neuralgia, forelimb paralysis / dysfunction |
| 33 | LI10 | Shousanli (LI10) | 手三里 | Shǒusānlǐ | Forelimb | Anterior radial border, upper 1/4 of the forearm | Perpendicular insertion 1-2mm | Upper limb disorders, digestive system regulation |
| 34 | PC6 | Neiguan (PC6) | 内关 | Nèiguān | Forelimb | Medial forelimb, 2mm proximal to wrist crease between radius & ulna | Perpendicular insertion 1-2mm | Cardiovascular & gastrointestinal disorders, anxiety, antiemetic regulation |
| 35 | TE5 | Waiguan (TE5) | 外关 | Wàiguān | Forelimb | Lateral forelimb, 2mm proximal to wrist crease between radius & ulna | Perpendicular insertion 1-2mm | Forelimb paralysis, febrile diseases |
| 36 | LI4 | Hegu (LI4) | 合谷 | Hégǔ | Forelimb | Dorsal forelimb, in the interosseous space between 1st and 2nd metacarpals | Perpendicular insertion 1-2mm | Analgesia, upper respiratory tract infections |
| 37 | HT7 | Shenmen (HT7) | 神门 | Shénmén | Forelimb | Medial forelimb, depression on the radial side of the pisiform bone | Perpendicular insertion 1mm | Neurasthenia, epilepsy models |
| 38 | EX-B | Houhai (EX-B) | 后海 | Hòuhǎi | Extra Points | In the depression between the anus and the tail base | Oblique insertion anterosuperiorly 1-2cm | Diarrhea, constipation, dysentery |
| 39 | EX-B3 | Yishu (EX-B3) | 胰俞 | Yíshū | Trunk & Back | Below the T8 spinous process, 3mm lateral to the midline | Oblique insertion 2-3mm | Diabetes mellitus models |
| 40 | EX-HN6 | Erjian (EX-HN6) | 耳尖 | Ěrjiān | Extra Points | At the posterior margin of the ear tip | Prick to bleed with a three-edged or filiform needle | Pyrexia, acute inflammatory conditions |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many standard acupoints are there for laboratory mice?
There are 39 standardized acupoints for laboratory mice defined under the group standard T/CAAM 0003-2020, though research models often incorporate 40 core points including Houhai.
What are the six most commonly used mouse acupoints?
The most commonly cited points in literature are Housanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Huantiao (GB30), Neiguan (PC6), Weishu (BL21), and Hegu (LI4).
Does this page include individual acupoint detail pages?
No. This is a master atlas page only, built for overview, search, and navigation without point-level detail pages.
What standard does this page follow?
This page follows the Chinese group standard T/CAAM 0003-2020 for common acupoints in experimental mice.
Can this page be used for laboratory procedures?
It is a reference atlas only. All experimental procedures should follow institutional animal care policy and qualified professional guidance.
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