Verscienta
TE21

Ermen

Star

耳門 (Ěrmén) — Ear Gate

Triple Energiser channel · point 21

Not yet clinically reviewed

Traditionally used for

  • Ears & hearing
  • Teeth & mouth
  • Pain & joints

Location

On the face, in the depression anterior to the supratragic notch and posterior to the condyloid process of the mandible, found with the mouth open.

How to locate: Have the patient open the mouth so the condyle of the mandible slides forward and a hollow appears in front of the ear; the point is in this hollow at the level of the supratragic notch, the uppermost of the three points in front of the ear (above SI19 and GB2).

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

Body map, front: TE21 · Head & face
Fig. — TE21 · Head & face After Albinus, 1747
Body map, front: TE21 · Head & face

TE21 · Head & face · Albinus, Tabulae sceleti et musculorum, 1747

The skull, from the front — Gray's Anatomy plate
The skull, from the front Gray's Anatomy, 1918
The skull, from the front — Gray's Anatomy plate

The skull, from the front · Gray's Anatomy, 1918

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

  1. Oblique insertion — inferior, slightly posteriorly
    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)
  1. Deadman P, Al-Khafaji M, Baker K. A Manual of Acupuncture. Hove: Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications; 1998 — p. 410 Supports: techniques (names this point)

Site notes · not cited

Depth: 0.5–1.0 cun
Angle: Perpendicular, with the mouth held open
⚠ Cautions: Insert with the mouth open and keep it open, or the needle may bind.

Functions

  • Benefits the ears and restores hearing
  • Clears heat
  • Relieves toothache

Indications

Tinnitus and deafnessear discharge and infectiontoothachetemporomandibular joint disorders

Clinical Notes

The uppermost of the three ear points; TE21, SI19 and GB2 are often needled together for stubborn tinnitus.

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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