Xi-cleft point.

bubble_chart Etymology

"Zhong" (中), middle or center; "du" (都), gathering or convergence. The acupoint is located in the middle of the inner side of calf, where the qi of liver meridian deeply converges, hence the name. It is also the xi-cleft point of foot jueyin liver meridian, so it is also called "Zhongxi" (middle cleft). Both Beiji Qianjin Yaofang‧ and Waitai Miyao use "Zhongxi" as the formal name. The characters "Du" (都) and "Xi" (郄) are similar in shape, and "都" may have been a transcription error.

bubble_chart Location

Zhongdu (LR6) acupoint
(adapted from "Meridians and Acupoints")

• Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "Seven cun above inner ankle, in the middle of tibia";
• Waitai Miyao: "Between Yinlingquan (SP9) and Sanyinjiao (SP6)".

bubble_chart Anatomy

• Muscle: anterior to soleus.
• Nerve: middle branch of saphenous nerve.
• Vessel: great saphenous vein.

bubble_chart Manipulation

Insert subcutaneously upwards or downwards 0.5 to 1 cun, or insert it straight along the posterior edge of tibia 0.5 to 1 cun. Moxibustion with moxa cone 1 to 3 times, moxibustion with moxa stick for 3 to 5 minutes.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Soothe liver and regulate qi, regulate menstruation and astringe blood.

• Classical: abdominal fullness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, hernia, genital pain, menorrhagia and metrostaxis, persistent postpartum lochia, cold and pain in shins, inability to stand or work, heat under feet.
• Modern: viral hepatitis, dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

bubble_chart Combinations

• Swelling limbs: Quchi (LI11), Zhongzhu (TE3), Zhongdu (LR6), Yinlingquan (SP9), Neiting (ST44).