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Small Intestine MeridianSI14

Jianwaishu 肩外兪

For reference only · not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment
Short answer

Upper back, 3 cun out from the back midline, level with the lower edge of the first thoracic spinous process.

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

Jianwaishu — ① Where on the body?
① Where on the body?
Jianwaishu — 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.
Jianwaishu — ② Up close
② Up close
Jianwaishu — ③ Under the skin
③ Under the skin
Vertebra t1 · Scapula · Levator scapulae · Trapezius

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

On this page
  1. Where is Jianwaishu?
  2. How do I find it on my body?
  3. Before you press
  4. How has it been used traditionally?
  5. FAQ

1Where is Jianwaishu?

Upper back, 3 cun out from the back midline, level with the lower edge of the first thoracic spinous process.

It is on the vertical line through the inner end of the scapular spine, at the same height as BL11 and GV13.

Beneath the point

Vertebra t1 · Scapula · Levator scapulae · Trapezius

Our 3D measurement · In our 3D model: at the lower end of the T1 spinous process, 3 cun (61.9 mm; 1 back cun = 20.63 mm) from the back midline.

2How do I find it on my body?

  1. Bow the head: the most prominent knob is C7.
  2. Draw a level line at the lower edge of the next knob down (T1).
  3. Drop a vertical line from the inner end of the scapular spine.
  4. Press where the lines cross; the midline-to-scapula span counts as 3 cun.
What is a “cun”?
What is a “cun”?

A cun is a body-scaled unit of length. The precise way is to divide a bone length into equal parts (proportional bone cun); finger widths are a quick estimate.

📖 Words explained
levator scapulae
A strap-like muscle on the back side of the neck, linking the upper neck bones to the top corner of the shoulder blade. As its name says, it lifts the blade.
spinous process
The bony spike sticking backward from the middle of each spine bone. The row of bumps you feel down the middle of the back is these, and they serve as the counting marks for back points.

3Before you press

⚠ Do not press when
  • The pleura and lung lie deep between the upper ribs here.
  • Do not jab with pointed tools.
  • 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?

From traditional texts — not a claim of effect.

?FAQ

Where exactly is Jianwaishu?

Upper back, 3 cun out from the back midline, level with the lower edge of the first thoracic spinous process. It is on the vertical line through the inner end of the scapular spine, at the same height as BL11 and GV13.

How do I find Jianwaishu?

Bow the head: the most prominent knob is C7. Draw a level line at the lower edge of the next knob down (T1). Drop a vertical line from the inner end of the scapular spine. Press where the lines cross; the midline-to-scapula span counts as 3 cun.

What should I watch out for?

The pleura and lung lie deep between the upper ribs here. Do not jab with pointed tools. Avoid broken or swollen skin and press only to a comfortable level. Acupressure is not a substitute for medical care.

← PreviousQuyuan · SI13Next →Jianzhongshu · SI15
Sources

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.