Ruzhong 乳中
At the very centre of the nipple.
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Sternocostal head of pectoralis major muscle · Internal intercostal muscles
Rendered straight from the 3D model at the computed location. The glowing ring marks Ruzhong.
On this page
1Where is Ruzhong?
At the very centre of the nipple.
In men it lies in the fourth intercostal space.
It is on the front chest.
Sternocostal head of pectoralis major muscle · Internal intercostal muscles
2How do I find it on my body?
- The centre of the nipple is the point itself.
- In men, count down from the sternal angle (second rib) to confirm the fourth intercostal space.
- Use this spot only as a reference for other chest points (the 4 B-cun line and the rib spaces).
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.
- sternocostal head of pectoralis major
- The large middle part of pectoralis major, starting from the breastbone and upper rib cartilages. It pulls the arm in toward the body.
- intercostal space
- The gap between two ribs, felt with a fingertip as a slight groove between bone and bone. It is named after the rib above it (the gap below the first rib is the first intercostal space).
- internal intercostal muscles
- The layer of thin rib-gap muscles just inside the external intercostals. They help lower the ribs when you breathe out hard.
- sternal angle
- The slight horizontal ridge where the manubrium meets the body of the breastbone; slide a finger down from the notch at the base of the neck and it catches on it. The second rib attaches right beside it, so it is the starting mark for counting ribs.
3Before you press
- This point serves only as a landmark for finding other points.
- Classical texts barred needling and moxibustion here.
- We do not present it as a point to press.
- 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?
- The Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing forbids needling and moxibustion here; the point is kept as a reference for measuring others.
- The two nipples also anchor the bone-proportional unit across the chest (8 B-cun between them).
From traditional texts — not a claim of effect.
?FAQ
Where exactly is Ruzhong?
At the very centre of the nipple. In men it lies in the fourth intercostal space. It is on the front chest.
How do I find Ruzhong?
The centre of the nipple is the point itself. In men, count down from the sternal angle (second rib) to confirm the fourth intercostal space. Use this spot only as a reference for other chest points (the 4 B-cun line and the rib spaces).
What should I watch out for?
This point serves only as a landmark for finding other points. Classical texts barred needling and moxibustion here. We do not present it as a point to press. 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. 54
- Standard comparison: Chinese national standard GB/T 12346-2021 (Nomenclature and location of meridian points)
- Korean anatomical terms and locating tips: KMCRIC Standard Acupoint DB (Korea)
- Prohibition: Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing vol. 3 (Siku Quanshu edition)
- Classification 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.