Governing Vessel meridian
GV-15 (Yǎmén, 哑门) — Mute's Gate
- Meridian
- Governing Vessel (GV)
- Anatomical view
- posterior
- Point classification
- Meeting point of the Governing Vessel and Yang Linking Vessel; Window of Heaven and Sea of Qi point.
- Depth reference
- Specialist-only, anatomy-dependent insertion; never direct deeply or superiorly toward the cranial cavity
- Moxibustion
- Not applicable in the checked point-specific educational source
- Reference aliases
- GV15; Yamen; 哑门; Mute's Gate
Anatomical location
At the back of the neck, on the posterior midline in the depression above the spinous process of C2, 0.5 B-cun below GV-16.
Traditional actions
Traditionally benefits speech and the tongue, clears the senses, and settles internal wind.
Recorded indications
Primary: Reference uses include sudden loss of voice, speech difficulty, tongue stiffness, occipital headache, and neck rigidity.
Secondary: Secondary uses include seizure patterns, altered consciousness, and mental agitation.
How to read this reference
AcuAtlas separates anatomical location, traditional classification, recorded actions, indications, insertion-depth references, and moxibustion notes because these fields answer different study questions. The location statement is the orientation anchor. The classification and actions describe traditional reference categories, while indications summarize how checked educational sources associate the point with established teaching material. They are not a recommendation to select or stimulate the point.
Depth and moxibustion entries are reproduced as bounded reference notes rather than procedural instructions. Individual anatomy, technique, angle, clinical setting, and local professional standards can change what is appropriate. Review the cited documents and supervised training material before using any technical field. The normalized map coordinate is included only to place the point on the matching AcuAtlas body plate; it is not a substitute for palpation or anatomical assessment.
Sources
References displayed on this page were recorded with the point dataset.
- WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region (2008) GV15, p. 211
- Acupuncture.com Acupuncture Point Reference Du 15: English name, classification, functions, indications and needling sections
- American Dragon Acupuncture Point Reference DU-15: English name, command functions, actions, indications and needling and moxibustion sections
- WHO Guidelines on Basic Training and Safety in Acupuncture Section II, 5.2, central nervous system, p. 25
- Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand, Safety in Clinical Practice Guidance Vulnerable points over great vessels, p. 12
- Assessment of Factors Associated with the Safety Depth of GV15 Yamen Results and conclusion; sex, BMI and head measurements affect safety depth
Frequently asked questions
Where is GV-15 located?
At the back of the neck, on the posterior midline in the depression above the spinous process of C2, 0.5 B-cun below GV-16.
What reference actions and indications are recorded for GV-15?
Traditionally benefits speech and the tongue, clears the senses, and settles internal wind. The dataset lists these primary indications: Reference uses include sudden loss of voice, speech difficulty, tongue stiffness, occipital headache, and neck rigidity. Secondary indications are recorded as: Secondary uses include seizure patterns, altered consciousness, and mental agitation.
Is GV-15 safe during pregnancy?
This dataset does not identify GV-15 as one of its five mandatory pregnancy-caution points. That is not a declaration of safety. Pregnancy-related point selection requires individualized assessment by a qualified clinician.