[Hierarchical structure of Five-shu points and Source-point of Triple Energizer Meridian in rabbits].

Objective: To study the position and hierarchical structure of Five-shu points, i．e., "Guanchong" (TE1), "Yemen" (TE2), "Zhongzhu" (TE3), "Yangchi" (TE4) and "Zhigou" (TE6), and the Source-point "Tianjing" (TE10) of the Triple Energizer (TE) Meridian in the rabbit.

Methods: Based on WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region (WHO Standard) and National Standard (GB/T 22103-2008) for Acupuncture Point Locations in human body, and combined with X-ray images, the hierarchical structure of Five-shu points and Source-point of the TE Meridian were observed in ten New Zealand rabbits. The acupoint locations were determined by comparing the same name tissues of the rabbits and human body after dissecting the above-mentioned acupoints. After inserting acupuncture needles into the aforementioned acupoints, the relationship between the acupuncture needle and adjacent structure were dissected and measured.

Results: "Guanchong" (TE1) was located on the lateral side of the 4 terminal phalanx, and behind the corner of the onyx root. When needled, the penetrated tissues of the acupuncture needle are skin, superficial fascia, deep fascia, and the root region of the 4 phalanx, respectively. "Yemen" (TE2) was located between the 4 and 5 onyxes, at the depression of intersection of coat hair superior to the fingerweb edge. When needled, the penetrated tissues of the acupuncture needle are the superficial fascia, deep fascia and lumbrical muscles of the forepaw, respectively. "Zhongzhu" (TE3) was located between the 4 and 5 metacarpal bones, at the depression proximal to the 4 metacarpophalangeal joint. When needled, the penetrated tissues are skin, superficial fascia, deep fascia, and lumbrical muscle, respectively. "Yangchi" (TE4) was positioned at the dorsal side of the forepaw, and the surface connection line between the accessory and radial bones intersected with the depression of the extensor digitorum communis on the ulnar side. When needled, the penetrated tissues are skin, superficial fascia, deep fascia, and the ulnar side of the common extensor tendon, respectively. "Zhigou" (TE6) was positioned between the radius and ulna, on the posterior aspect of the forelimb and 3 Bone-cun proximal to the distal dorsal forepaw crease. When needled, the penetrated tissues are skin, superficial fascia, deep fascia, and the extensor digitorum, respectively. "Tianjing" (TE10) was located at the junction of the body of humerus and the lateral condyle of humerus, on the posterior aspect of the elbow and proximal to the prominence of the olecranon. When needled, the penetrated tissues are skin, superficial fascia, deep fascia, and triceps brachii muscle, respectively.

Conclusion: The Five-shu points and Source-point of the TE Meridian on the forelimb in rabbits are innervated by the cutaneous branches of the ulnar radial nerve and the medial brachial cutaneous nerve at the superficial layer, and by the branches of the ulnar nerve and radial nerve in the deep layer, accompanied with cephalic vein and forearm blood vessels and their branches.