Shu-stream (earth) point; yuan-source point; Nan Jing states "meeting point of vessel". Lingshu‧Weiqi: "The root of hand taiyin is in cun kou (wrist pulse)". Ma Shi note: "That is Taiyuan (LU9) point".

bubble_chart Etymology

"Tai" (太) refers to grand; "yuan" (淵) refers to a deep water. It means the acupoint is located at radial artery of wrist pulse, where the blood and qi are abundant.

bubble_chart Location

Taiyuan (LU9) acupoint
(adapted from "Meridians and Acupoints")

On palmar side of wrist crease, on radial side, at the pulsation of radial artery. Located superior to the scaphoid tubercle, between tendons of flexor carpi radialis and abductor pollicis longus.

• Lingshu‧Benshu: "In the depression posterior to thenar eminence." (according to Huangdi Neijing Taisu);
• Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "In the depression posterior to palm.";
• Zhenjiu Zisheng Jing: "In the depression at proximal end of transverse crease on palm.".

bubble_chart Anatomy

• Muscles: The flexor carpi radialis tendon on the ulnar side and the abductor pollicis longus tendon on the radial side.
• Nerve: lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm, superficial branch of radial nerve.
• Vessel: The radial artery descends from Jingqu (LU8), turns dorsolaterally above this point, passing deep between abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons, then extends toward the anatomical snuffbox. Its superficial palmar branch runs along the medial edge of this point, descending into palm along flexor carpi radialis tendon sheath. Both radial artery and its superficial palmar branch are accompanied by small veins.

bubble_chart Manipulation

Avoid blood vessels, perpendicular insertion 0.3 to 0.5 cun, and do not damage radial artery and vein. Direct moxibustion is prohibited to avoid injury to radial artery and vein. Moxibustion with moxa stick for 3 to 5 minutes.

bubble_chart Efficacy

ventilate lung and relieve panting, clear throat, reduce swelling, and restore pulse.

• Classical: cough, asthma, coughing up blood, lung distension, fullness in the chest, breast distension, heart pain, upward rebellion of stomach qi, abdominal distension, wind-phlegm, irritability and manic speech, headache, facial swelling and pain, eye pain, toothache, shoulder and back pain radiating to the arm, elbow pain, wrist pain and weakness, swelling of supraclavicular fossa.
• Modern: Influenza, sore throat, bronchitis, whooping cough, tuberculosis, chest pain, pulseless disease, vasculitis, palpitations, rhinitis.

bubble_chart Combinations

• hematemesis and ascending qi: Taiyuan (LU9), Shenmen (HT7).
• Swelling of supraclavicular fossa: Taiyuan (LU9), Shangyang (LI1), Zulinqi (GB41).
• Pulseless disease: Quchi (LI11), Neiguan (PC6), Taiyuan (LU9), Hegu (LI4) , Zusanli (ST36).