Gallbladder MeridianGB19

Naokong 腦空

For reference only · not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment

Short answer

Back of the head, straight above Fengchi (GB20).

Crossing point of the Gallbladder meridian and the Yang Wei vesselAlso called Nieru (顳顬)

See it in 3DRotate the body and peel back the skin to see the bones and muscles beneath.
Open the 3D Acupoint Map →

🖼See it in pictures

Naokong — ① Where on the body? — **① Where on the body?**

Naokong — Textbook view — skin on the left, muscle and bone underneath on the right — **Textbook view — skin on the left, muscle and bone underneath on the right**
Location and structures come from our 3D model; only the drawing style was refined with AI. Labels are added by us.

Naokong — ③ Under the skin — **③ Under the skin**
Occipital bone · Occipitalis muscle

Rendered straight from the 3D model at the computed location. The glowing ring marks Naokong.

On this page

Where is Naokong?
How do I find it on my body?
Before you press
How has it been used traditionally?
FAQ

1Where is Naokong?

Back of the head, straight above Fengchi (GB20).

It is level with the upper edge of the external occipital protuberance, and with GV17 and BL9.

Beneath the point

Occipital bone · Occipitalis muscle

Our 3D measurement · In our 3D model: skin at the level of the upper border of the external occipital protuberance (the same level as Yuzhen, BL9, and Naohu, GV17), 19.6 mm straight above Fengchi (GB20).

2How do I find it on my body?

Find the top edge of the bony bump at the centre of the back of the head (external occipital protuberance) and draw a level line.
Find Fengchi.
Go straight up from Fengchi to the line and press.

📖 Words explained

external occipital protuberance: The bony bump in the lower middle of the back of the head. Sliding your hand up from the nape, it is the first bone you meet.

3Before you press

⚠ Do not press when

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 Gallbladder meridian and the Yang Wei vessel (Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing) — a historical classification, not a claim of effect.
The name is usually translated as 'Brain Hollow'.

From traditional texts — not a claim of effect.

?FAQ

Where exactly is Naokong?

Back of the head, straight above Fengchi (GB20). It is level with the upper edge of the external occipital protuberance, and with GV17 and BL9.

How do I find Naokong?

Find the top edge of the bony bump at the centre of the back of the head (external occipital protuberance) and draw a level line. Find Fengchi. Go straight up from Fengchi to the line and press.

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.

← PreviousChengling · GB18 Next →Fengchi · GB20

Sources

Location: WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region (2008), p. 181
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)

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.