GV21

Qianding

Star

前頂 (Qiándǐng) — Before the Vertex

Du (Governing) channel · point 21

Not yet clinically reviewed

Traditionally used for

Headaches
Dizziness
Nose & throat
Urinary & fluids
Mood & calm
Nerves & recovery

Location

On the head, on the anterior midline, 3.5 cun within the anterior hairline, midway between GV20 and GV22.

How to locate: Find GV20 and measure 1.5 cun forwards on the midline, or 3.5 cun back from the anterior hairline; the point is midway between GV20 and GV22.

Distances are in cun, a proportional unit — how to measure.

Body map, back: GV21 · Head & face — Fig. — GV21 · Head & face After Albinus, 1747

The skull, from the front — Gray's Anatomy plate — The skull, from the front Gray's Anatomy, 1918 Marker hidden while its position on this plate is re-checked.

3D view

3D view not available for this point: its position can't be carried onto the 3D model reliably (it failed a placement check). The 2D maps above show it.

Needling

Cited needling

Transverse insertion

Depth 0.5–1 cun

skindeeper

Depths describe average adult habitus in the cited population, never a single safe number for the patient in front of you. Palpate and adjust.

Sources (1)

Deadman P, Al-Khafaji M, Baker K. A Manual of Acupuncture. Hove: Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications; 1998 — p. 554 Supports: techniques (names this point)

Site notes · not cited

Depth: 0.3–0.5 cun

Angle: Transverse

Functions

Clears the head and settles wind
Expels wind-damp
Calms the spirit
Benefits the nose

Indications

Headache and dizzinessnasal congestion and sinusitisepilepsy and convulsionsfacial oedema

Sources

World Health Organization. WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region. Manila: WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, 2008. (Location.)
Focks C, ed. Atlas of Acupuncture. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2008. (Locating method and actions.)

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