Stomach MeridianST43

Xiangu 陷谷

For reference only · not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment

Short answer

Between the second and third metatarsals, in the dip just behind the base joint of the second toe (second metatarsophalangeal joint).

Shu-stream point (Wood)

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

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

Xiangu — 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.

Xiangu — ③ Under the skin — **③ Under the skin**
Tendon of extensor digitorum longus · Extensor digitorum brevis · Dorsal interossei muscles of foot · Second metatarsal bone

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

On this page

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

1Where is Xiangu?

Between the second and third metatarsals, in the dip just behind the base joint of the second toe (second metatarsophalangeal joint).

It is on the top of the foot.

Beneath the point

Tendon of extensor digitorum longus · Extensor digitorum brevis · Dorsal interossei muscles of foot · Second metatarsal bone

Our 3D measurement · In our 3D model: top-of-foot skin between metatarsals two and three, just behind the head of the second metatarsal (82% along the bone).

2How do I find it on my body?

Start at the web between the second and third toes (ST44).
Follow the groove between the two metatarsals up the foot.
Press just past the base joint of the second toe.

Check · your finger sinks into a dip.

📖 Words explained

tendon of extensor digitorum longus: The four strands the extensor digitorum longus splits into on the top of the foot. Lift your toes and they stand out like cords.
metatarsophalangeal joint: The joint where a metatarsal meets the first bone of a toe, the root joint of the toe. Bend the toes and you feel it as a round knuckle on the top of the foot.
extensor digitorum brevis: A flat muscle on the outer top of the foot. Lift your toes and it bulges as a small soft lump in front of and below the outer ankle.

3Before you press

⚠ Do not press when

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 the Shu-stream (Wood) point of the Stomach channel — a historical classification, not a claim of effect.
The name joins xian (sunken) and gu (valley): the dip between two metatarsal bones.

From traditional texts — not a claim of effect.

5Classical text

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

在足大指次指外間本節後陷中去內庭二寸足陽明脈之所注爲腧 …《銅人》

① In the gap on the outer side of the second toe, in the hollow behind its root joint, 2 cun from Neiting (ST44). Where the Foot Yangming channel pours in, which makes it the Shu-stream point (Tongren).

Source tags as given in the Donguibogam: Tongren = Tongren Shuxue Zhenjiu Tujing (1026).
The garbled glyph 杮 has been corrected to 腧, checked against Lingshu ch.
2 and the Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing vol.
3.
"The toe next to the big toe" is the second toe; Lingshu ch.
2 describes the same gap from the third-toe side.
"…" marks the needling depth and moxa count, left out because they are for licensed practitioners.

Original text as written · translation is ours.

?FAQ

Where exactly is Xiangu?

Between the second and third metatarsals, in the dip just behind the base joint of the second toe (second metatarsophalangeal joint). It is on the top of the foot.

How do I find Xiangu?

Start at the web between the second and third toes (ST44). Follow the groove between the two metatarsals up the foot. Press just past the base joint of the second toe. your finger sinks into a dip.

What should I watch out for?

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

← PreviousChongyang · ST42 Next →Neiting · ST44

Sources

Location: WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region (2008), p. 67
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)
Classification source: Lingshu ch. 2 (Ben Shu) for the five transport points; Nanjing ch. 64 for the phases; Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing vol. 3 (Siku Quanshu edition)
Traditional use: Hyeoljari Seodang (Bookdramang, 2015; Korean), ch. 3 "Xiangu" and appendix (Yixue Rumen indications)
Classical text: Donguibogam, Acupuncture and Moxibustion, "Xiangu" — Wikisource public edition (garbled glyph 杮 corrected to 腧)
Indications: Yixue Rumen vol. 1 (Wikisource)

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.