Front-mu point of pericardium. Meeting point of qi.

bubble_chart Etymology

"Tan" (膻), thoracic cavity; "zhong" (中), middle or center. This acupoint is located within chest, hence the name. Internally, it is the sea of pectoral qi (宗氣), and it is also known as "Shangqihai" (上氣海, upper sea of qi).

bubble_chart Location

Tanzhong (CV17) acupoint
(adapted from "Meridians and Acupoints")

Located on the midline of chest, level with 4th intercostal space, approximately between two nipples.

• Nan Jing-Difficulty Thirty: "1.6 cun below Yutang (CV18), in the depression directly between the two nipples".

bubble_chart Anatomy

• Muscles: superficial fascia is thin, with almost no fat.
• Nerve: medial branch of anterior cutaneous branch of 4th intercostal nerve.
• Vessels: anterior perforating branches of the internal thoracic (mammary) artery and vein.

bubble_chart Manipulation

Subcutaneous insertion 0.3~0.5 cun. If performing a subcutaneous penetration toward the sides, avoid deep insertion to prevent damage to internal organs. Moxibustion with moxa cone 3 to 5 times, moxibustion with moxa stick for 15 to 20 minutes.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Disinhibit qi, soothe chest, promotes lactation.

• Classical: coughing, asthma, chest impediment, heart pain, qi choking, vomiting, insufficient postpartum lactation, lung abscess, goiter, irritability and fullness.
• Modern: bronchitis, pleurisy, angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, arrhythmia, mastitis, mammary gland hyperplasia, hiccups, esophagitis, esophageal spasm, globus hystericus, pulmonary tuberculosis, intercostal neuralgia , costochondritis.

bubble_chart Combinations

• Heartache due to chest impediment: Tanzhong (CV17), Tianjing (TE10).
• Insufficient lactation: Tanzhong (CV17), Shaoze (SI1).
• Acute mastitis: Tanzhong (CV17), Rugen (ST18), Shaoze (SI1).