Lung meridian
LU-1 (Zhōngfǔ, 中府) — Central Palace
- Meridian
- Lung (LU)
- Anatomical view
- anterior
- Point classification
- Front-mu point of the Lung; meeting point of the Lung and Spleen channels.
- Depth reference
- Superficial oblique or transverse insertion, limited by individual thoracic anatomy; safe depth may be as little as 10-20 mm
- Moxibustion
- Not established in checked point-specific sources.
- Reference aliases
- LU1; Zhongfu; 中府; Central Palace
Anatomical location
On the upper anterior chest, level with the first intercostal space and 6 B-cun lateral to the anterior midline; it lies 1 B-cun below LU-2.
Traditional actions
Directs rebellious Lung qi downward; opens the chest; clears heat affecting the Lung.
Recorded indications
Primary: Cough; wheezing; chest pain.
Secondary: Shoulder or back pain; abdominal distention.
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 LU1, p. 26
- Acupuncture.Com Acupuncture Point Reference Lung 1
- Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand, Safety in Clinical Practice Guidance Precautions for needling, pp. 12-13
- Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, Clean Needle Technique Manual, 7th edition Pneumothorax prevention, pp. 10-13
- South Africa Government Gazette, Acupuncture Safety Guidelines High-risk thoracic areas, pp. 12-14
Frequently asked questions
Where is LU-1 located?
On the upper anterior chest, level with the first intercostal space and 6 B-cun lateral to the anterior midline; it lies 1 B-cun below LU-2.
What reference actions and indications are recorded for LU-1?
Directs rebellious Lung qi downward; opens the chest; clears heat affecting the Lung. The dataset lists these primary indications: Cough; wheezing; chest pain. Secondary indications are recorded as: Shoulder or back pain; abdominal distention.
Is LU-1 safe during pregnancy?
This dataset does not identify LU-1 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.