Large Intestine MeridianLI2

Erjian 二間

For reference only · not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment

Short answer

Thumb side of the index finger, in the hollow just beyond the second metacarpophalangeal joint (toward the fingertip).

Ying-spring point (Water)

See it in 3DRotate the body and peel back the skin to see the bones and muscles beneath.
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🖼See it in pictures

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

Erjian — 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.

Erjian — ③ Under the skin — **③ Under the skin**
Proximal phalanx of index finger · Second metacarpal bone

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

On this page

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

1Where is Erjian?

Thumb side of the index finger, in the hollow just beyond the second metacarpophalangeal joint (toward the fingertip).

It lies on the line where back-of-hand skin meets palm skin.

Beneath the point

Proximal phalanx of index finger · Second metacarpal bone

Our 3D measurement · In our 3D model: 5 mm distal to the base of the proximal phalanx of the index finger (just beyond the second metacarpophalangeal joint), on the radial outline seen from the palm (the border of palm and back-of-hand skin — same definition as LU10 and SI3).

2How do I find it on my body?

Make a loose fist.
Feel the thumb side of the index-finger knuckle (second metacarpophalangeal joint).
Slide a little toward the fingertip into the hollow at the base of the first phalanx.

Check · the point sits on the line where back-of-hand skin meets palm skin.

📖 Words explained

proximal phalanx of index finger: The first bone of the index finger, at its root. It forms a joint with the metacarpal.
metacarpophalangeal joint: The joint where a metacarpal meets the first bone of a finger, the root joint of the finger. It is the knuckle that rises on the back of the hand when you make a fist.

3Before you press

⚠ Do not press when

Avoid broken, bruised 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 the Ying-spring (Water) point of the channel; classical theory describes it as a point for clearing heat from the stomach and large intestine.
An alternative name is Jiangu (間谷).

From traditional texts — not a claim of effect.

5Classical text

Donguibogam (Heo Jun, 1613), Acupuncture and Moxibustion, "Erjian"

一名間谷在手大指次指本節前內側陷中手陽明脈之所流爲滎 …《銅人》

① Also called Jiangu. In the hollow on the inner side of the index finger, in front of its base joint. Where the Hand Yangming channel flows, which makes it the Ying-spring point (Tongren Shuxue Zhenjiu Tujing).

Source tag as given in the Donguibogam: Tongren = Tongren Shuxue Zhenjiu Tujing.
The 'base joint' is the second metacarpophalangeal joint, 'in front' means toward the fingertip, and 'inner' means the thumb side.
Lingshu ch.
2 reads 'flows to Erjian in front of the base joint … the Ying-spring point'.
"…" marks the needling depth and moxa count, left out because they are for licensed practitioners.
No glyphs needed correcting in this entry.

Original text as written · translation is ours.

?FAQ

Where exactly is Erjian?

Thumb side of the index finger, in the hollow just beyond the second metacarpophalangeal joint (toward the fingertip). It lies on the line where back-of-hand skin meets palm skin.

How do I find Erjian?

Make a loose fist. Feel the thumb side of the index-finger knuckle (second metacarpophalangeal joint). Slide a little toward the fingertip into the hollow at the base of the first phalanx. the point sits on the line where back-of-hand skin meets palm skin.

What should I watch out for?

Avoid broken, bruised or swollen skin and press only to a comfortable level. Acupressure is not a substitute for medical care.

← PreviousShangyang · LI1 Next →Sanjian · LI3

Sources

Location: WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region (2008), p. 34
Korean anatomical terms: KMCRIC standard acupoint database · KMLE medical dictionary
Traditional use: Hyeoljari Seodang (Bookdramang, 2015; Korean), ch. 2 "Erjian" and appendix (Yixue Rumen indications)
Classical text: Donguibogam, Acupuncture and Moxibustion, "Erjian" — Wikisource public edition
Indications: Yixue Rumen vol. 1 (Wikisource)
Classification source: Lingshu ch. 2 (Ben Shu) for the five transport points; Nanjing ch. 64 for the phases

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.