Intersecting point of yin link vessel and conception vessel.

bubble_chart Etymology

"Tian" (天) refers to the connection with heavens (weather); "tu" (突) means protruding, like a chimney. The acupoint is located in upper chest and functions to ventilate lung qi.

bubble_chart Location

Tiantu (CV22) acupoint
(adapted from "Meridians and Acupoints")

• Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "2 cun below laryngeal prominence, in the central depression";
• Beiji Qianjin Yaofang as "5 cun" ";
• Suwen-Gukong Lun Wang Bing's note: "Between two supraclavicular fossae... 4 cun below laryngeal prominence".

bubble_chart Anatomy

• Muscles: in the linea alba of neck, between sternocleidomastoid muscles; deeper layers include sternohyoid and sternothyroid muscles (deep to these lies trachea).
• Nerve: medial supraclavicular nerve.
• Vessels: subcutaneous venous arch, branches of inferior thyroid artery; below sternal manubrium lies the brachiocephalic vein and aortic arch.

bubble_chart Manipulation

• Insert perpendicularly 0.1~0.2 cun, then direct it downward between sternum and trachea to a depth of 0.5~1.5 cun. Avoid deep insertion or lateral needling to prevent puncturing aortic arch or other major vessels and lungs.
• If inserted more than 0.5 cun perpendicularly, the needle may hit the trachea, producing a firm but slightly elastic sensation, and the patient may feel throat irritation and an urge to cough. If the tracheal wall is punctured, it may cause severe coughing and bloody sputum.
• If the needle is inserted too deeply or posteriorly, it may hit brachiocephalic vein or aortic arch, producing a soft, elastic resistance or pain. Immediately withdraw the needle and monitor the patient, taking appropriate measures if necessary.
• Moxibustion with moxa cone 3 to 5 times, moxibustion with moxa stick for 15 to 20 minutes.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Relieve asthma and benefit qi.

• Classical: cough, asthma, sudden loss of voice, throat obstruction, dry throat, sore throat, choking, sublingual urgency, goiter, lung abscess, coughing up pus and blood, hot sores in throat preventing swallowing. qi choking, heart pain, hidden rashes, headache, facial redness and heat, numbness of whole body's flesh.
• Modern: bronchitis, whooping cough, pharyngitis, diaphragmatic spasm, nervous vomiting, aphasia, pharyngitis, globus hystericus, esophagitis, esophageal spasm, esophagus cancer, simple goiter, vocal cords disease.

bubble_chart Combinations

• Asthma: Tiantu (CV22), Tanzhong (CV17).
• Qi choking: Tiantu (CV22), Guanchong (TE1).
• Hoarseness: Tiantu (CV22), Lingdao (HT4), Yingu (KI10), Fuliu (KI7), Fenglong (ST40), Rangu (KI2).
• Cold-type wheezing: Tiantu (CV22), Lieque (LU7), Rugen (ST18), Zhongwan (CV12), Zusanli (ST36).
• Diaphragm spasm: Tiantu (CV22), Geshu (BL17), Neiguan (PC6).
• Cough and asthma: Tiantu (CV22), Tanzhong (CV17), Chize (LU5).