Liver meridian
LV-13 (Zhāngmén, 章门) — Camphorwood Gate
- Meridian
- Liver (LV)
- Anatomical view
- lateral
- Point classification
- Front-mu point of the Spleen and influential point of the zang organs.
- Depth reference
- No universal safe depth is established; the checked point source lists 0.8–1.0 cun, but side-specific organ anatomy must determine a shallow non-visceral trajectory.
- Moxibustion
- Not established in checked sources.
- Reference aliases
- LV13; Zhangmen; 章门; Camphorwood Gate
Anatomical location
On the lateral abdomen, immediately inferior to the free end of the eleventh rib.
Traditional actions
Harmonizes the Liver and Spleen; moves abdominal qi; supports transformation and transport.
Recorded indications
Primary: Abdominal distention or pain; poor appetite; loose stools; hypochondriac discomfort.
Secondary: Vomiting; fatigue; lumbar pain; palpable abdominal tension.
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 LR13, p. 202
- WHO Guidelines on Basic Training and Safety in Acupuncture Section II, 5.2, abdominal and solid-organ precautions, p. 25
- Acupuncture.Com Acupuncture Point Reference Liver 13: English translation, classification, indications, functions and needling
- Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, Clean Needle Technique Manual, 7th ed. Organ injury, liver, spleen and kidney precautions, pp. 13–15
Frequently asked questions
Where is LV-13 located?
On the lateral abdomen, immediately inferior to the free end of the eleventh rib.
What reference actions and indications are recorded for LV-13?
Harmonizes the Liver and Spleen; moves abdominal qi; supports transformation and transport. The dataset lists these primary indications: Abdominal distention or pain; poor appetite; loose stools; hypochondriac discomfort. Secondary indications are recorded as: Vomiting; fatigue; lumbar pain; palpable abdominal tension.
Is LV-13 safe during pregnancy?
This dataset does not identify LV-13 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.