Governing Vessel meridian

GV-16 (Fēngfǔ, 风府) — Wind Palace

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 Marrow point.
Depth reference
Specialist-only, anatomy-dependent insertion; never direct deeply or superiorly toward the medulla
Moxibustion
Not established: checked point sources report caution and prohibition
Reference aliases
GV16; Fengfu; 风府; Wind Palace

Anatomical location

At the back of the neck, directly below the external occipital protuberance, in the depression between the trapezius muscles.

Traditional actions

Traditionally expels wind, clears the head and senses, and calms internal wind.

Recorded indications

Primary: Reference uses include occipital headache, neck stiffness, dizziness, speech difficulty, and nasal blockage.

Secondary: Secondary uses include seizure patterns, altered consciousness, and 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.

  1. WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region (2008) GV16, p. 211
  2. Acupuncture.com Acupuncture Point Reference Du 16: English name, classification, functions, indications and needling sections
  3. American Dragon Acupuncture Point Reference DU-16: English name, command functions, actions, indications and needling and moxibustion sections
  4. WHO Guidelines on Basic Training and Safety in Acupuncture Section II, 5.2, central nervous system, p. 25
  5. Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand, Safety in Clinical Practice Guidance Vulnerable points over great vessels, p. 12
  6. An Investigation into the Depth of Acupuncture Points in the Neck and Shoulder Region GV16 MRI measurements, BMI and sex analysis

Frequently asked questions

Where is GV-16 located?

At the back of the neck, directly below the external occipital protuberance, in the depression between the trapezius muscles.

What reference actions and indications are recorded for GV-16?

Traditionally expels wind, clears the head and senses, and calms internal wind. The dataset lists these primary indications: Reference uses include occipital headache, neck stiffness, dizziness, speech difficulty, and nasal blockage. Secondary indications are recorded as: Secondary uses include seizure patterns, altered consciousness, and agitation.

Is GV-16 safe during pregnancy?

This dataset does not identify GV-16 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.