Touqiaoyin 頭竅陰
On the head above and behind the mastoid process, two thirds of the way along a curve behind the ear.
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Parietal bone · Temporal bone · Occipital bone · Temporoparietalis muscle
Rendered straight from the 3D model at the computed location. The glowing ring marks Touqiaoyin.
On this page
1Where is Touqiaoyin?
On the head above and behind the mastoid process, two thirds of the way along a curve behind the ear.
The curve follows the ear from Tianchong (GB9) down to Wangu (GB12).
Parietal bone · Temporal bone · Occipital bone · Temporoparietalis muscle
2How do I find it on my body?
- Find Tianchong and Wangu.
- Join them with a curve that follows the back of the ear and split it into thirds.
- Press the second mark from the top.
- temporoparietalis
- A thin muscle on the side of the head above the ear. Its size varies a lot between people.
- mastoid process
- The bone sticking down just behind the earlobe. It is part of the temporal bone, and sternocleidomastoid attaches to it.
- occipital bone
- The skull bone at the lower back of the head. You can feel a bump in its middle (external occipital protuberance), and the spinal cord passes through the big hole at its base.
- temporal bone
- The skull bone on the side of the head around the ear. The ear canal and the bump behind the ear (mastoid process) are on it, and it forms the jaw joint with the mandible.
- parietal bone
- The pair of wide skull bones covering the top and upper sides of the head. They meet along the middle of the crown.
3Before you press
- This is on the scalp — press lightly with a fingertip.
- After a blow to the head, do not press; get checked first.
- Avoid broken or swollen skin and press only to a comfortable level.
- Acupressure is not a substitute for medical care.
4How has it been used traditionally?
- Classified as a crossing point of the Bladder and Gallbladder meridians (Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing) — a historical classification, not a claim of effect.
- The name means 'head portal of yin'; the foot has a namesake, Zuqiaoyin (GB44).
From traditional texts — not a claim of effect.
?FAQ
Where exactly is Touqiaoyin?
On the head above and behind the mastoid process, two thirds of the way along a curve behind the ear. The curve follows the ear from Tianchong (GB9) down to Wangu (GB12).
How do I find Touqiaoyin?
Find Tianchong and Wangu. Join them with a curve that follows the back of the ear and split it into thirds. Press the second mark from the top.
What should I watch out for?
This is on the scalp — press lightly with a fingertip. After a blow to the head, do not press; get checked first. Avoid broken or swollen skin and press only to a comfortable level. Acupressure is not a substitute for medical care.
Sources
- Location: WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region (2008), p. 177
- Standard comparison: Chinese national standard GB/T 12346-2021 (Nomenclature and location of meridian points)
- Korean anatomical terms and point names: KMCRIC Standard Acupoint DB (Korea)
- Classification source: Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (Huangfu Mi), vol. 3
- Traditional use cross-check: AcuAtlas dataset (CC BY 4.0)
- 3D: computed on Z-Anatomy (CC BY-SA 4.0) · BodyParts3D © DBCLS
Positions computed from the WHO standard locations (2008) on Z-Anatomy (CC BY-SA 4.0) · BodyParts3D © DBCLS. For reference only — not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. See a clinician if you are unwell.