Stomach meridian

ST-9 (Rényíng, 人迎) — Man's Welcome

Meridian
Stomach (ST)
Anatomical view
anterior
Point classification
Meeting point of the Stomach and Gallbladder channels; Window of Heaven and Sea of Qi point.
Depth reference
Shallow, anatomy-led insertion only after locating the carotid pulse; do not rely on a fixed depth
Moxibustion
Not recommended
Reference aliases
ST9; Renying; 人迎; Man's Welcome

Anatomical location

On the anterior neck, level with the upper border of the thyroid cartilage, just anterior to the sternocleidomastoid and over the common carotid artery.

Traditional actions

Regulates qi and blood in the neck; descends rebellious qi; benefits the throat.

Recorded indications

Primary: Sore throat; goiter or neck swelling; cough; wheezing.

Secondary: Hypertension; apoplexy; hemiplegia; knee arthralgia in traditional use.

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 ST9, p. 50
  2. Acupuncture.Com Acupuncture Point Reference Stomach 9
  3. Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand, Safety in Clinical Practice Guidance Vulnerable neck points, p. 12
  4. WHO Guidelines on Basic Training and Safety in Acupuncture Potentially dangerous point near the carotid artery, p. 25
  5. Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, Clean Needle Technique Manual, 7th edition Carotid artery and point safety guidance, pp. 4 and 240-241
  6. South Africa Government Gazette, Acupuncture Safety Guidelines High-risk neck points and carotid artery, pp. 13 and 21

Frequently asked questions

Where is ST-9 located?

On the anterior neck, level with the upper border of the thyroid cartilage, just anterior to the sternocleidomastoid and over the common carotid artery.

What reference actions and indications are recorded for ST-9?

Regulates qi and blood in the neck; descends rebellious qi; benefits the throat. The dataset lists these primary indications: Sore throat; goiter or neck swelling; cough; wheezing. Secondary indications are recorded as: Hypertension; apoplexy; hemiplegia; knee arthralgia in traditional use.

Is ST-9 safe during pregnancy?

This dataset does not identify ST-9 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.