Exploring the Imagery and Anatomy of 'Xi' Ravine points

Research output: Contribution to conferencePosterpeer-review

  • Vivien Shaw
    University of Oxford
Background / Purpose: To use the example of ‘xi’ ravine points and explore the possibility of an underlying logic in acupoint names by seeing if their name bears any relationship to their underlying anatomy. If so, this would imply that acupoints could have been chosen as the result of careful meticulous dissection. Main conclusion: The points discussed in the poster concord with structures where there is arterial supply going through a narrow or high sided space. In some cases the artery then also goes to the interior of the body as does water in a mountain ravine. These names could have been chosen to tell the reader about an anatomical attribute that was considered significant at the time.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes
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