"Er" (耳), ear; "men" (門), door. The acupoint is located in front of ear, resembling a gateway.

bubble_chart Location

Ermen (TE21) acupoints
(adapted from "Meridians and Acupoints")

On facial cheek area, anterior to tragus of ear, at the posterior border of condylar process of mandible. It forms a depression when mouth is open.

• Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "On the fleshy prominence in front of ear, at the notch of ear".

bubble_chart Anatomy

• Nerve: auriculotemporal nerve, facial nerve.
• Vessels: anterior branches of superficial temporal artery and vein.

bubble_chart Manipulation

Insert while mouth is open, slightly downward and backward to a depth of 0.8 to 1 cun. Be careful to avoid anterior auricular artery. Moxibustion with a moxa stick for 5 to 15 minutes.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Improve hearing, benefit jaw.

• Classical: tinnitus, deafness, vertigo, toothache, lockjaw, stiff lips, head and jaw pain, lumpago.
• Modern: otitis media, temporomandibular joint disorder, Meniere's disease.

bubble_chart Combinations

• tinnitus, deafness: Ermen (TE21), Yifeng (TE17), Naokong (GB19).
• Toothache: Ermen (TE21), Sizhukong (TE23).