Stomach meridian
ST-13 (Qìhù, 气户) — Qi Door
- Meridian
- Stomach (ST)
- Anatomical view
- anterior
- Point classification
- Regional Stomach channel point on the upper chest.
- Depth reference
- Superficial oblique or transverse insertion, limited to subcutaneous tissue by individual thoracic anatomy; safe depth may be as little as 10-20 mm
- Moxibustion
- Not established in checked point-specific sources; avoid direct or scarring moxibustion over the thorax and subclavian artery.
- Reference aliases
- ST13; Qihu; 气户; Qi Door
Anatomical location
On the anterior chest, immediately below the clavicle and 4 B-cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Traditional actions
Directs rebellious qi downward; frees the chest.
Recorded indications
Primary: Cough; wheezing.
Secondary: Chest pain or congestion.
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 ST13, p. 52
- Acupuncture.Com Acupuncture Point Reference Stomach 13
- Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, Clean Needle Technique Manual, 7th edition Subclavian artery and thoracic pneumothorax prevention, pp. 4 and 10-13
Frequently asked questions
Where is ST-13 located?
On the anterior chest, immediately below the clavicle and 4 B-cun lateral to the anterior midline.
What reference actions and indications are recorded for ST-13?
Directs rebellious qi downward; frees the chest. The dataset lists these primary indications: Cough; wheezing. Secondary indications are recorded as: Chest pain or congestion.
Is ST-13 safe during pregnancy?
This dataset does not identify ST-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.