GB5 (Xuánlú, “Suspended Skull”) is an acupuncture point on the Gallbladder Channel Meridian. It is located on the side of the head, within the temporal region, superior to the zygomatic arch. The point is located in the area described as 'in the middle of the temple' and superior to the 'curved border' , which refers to the hairline curvature at the temple. It is situated between Hanyan (GB4) and Xuanli (GB6). It dispels wind, clears heat, alleviates pain, benefits the head and sensory orifices.
On the side of the head, within the temporal region, superior to the zygomatic arch. The point is located in the area described as 'in the middle of the temple' and superior to the 'curved border' , which refers to the hairline curvature at the temple. It is situated between Hanyan (GB4) and Xuanli (GB6).
Transverse (subcutaneous) insertion, 0.5 to 1.5 cun, often directed anteriorly or posteriorly to address headache.
Dispels wind, clears heat, alleviates pain, benefits the head and sensory orifices.
Heat disease with vexation and fullness, inability to sweat, one-sided headache, headache with heat in the body, pain that pulls on the outer canthus of the eye, redness of the outer canthus, toothache, nasal congestion with thick, turbid discharge (rhinorrhea), blurred vision, heavy sensation in the head, heat disease with a heavy body.
Xuánlú is a primary local point for treating one-sided or temporal headaches, especially those with a heat component, as indicated by its classical use for heat disease with headache and eye redness. Its ability to address vexation, fullness, and lack of sweating suggests it clears constrained heat from the Shaoyang and Yangming channels of the head. It is also effective for referred pain to the eyes and teeth, and for certain types of nasal discharge, reflecting its role in clearing the upper orifices.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針方六集》 Zhēnfāng Liùjí — Six Collections on Needling, Wu Kun, 1618 · 卷之一·神照集 · 足少陽膽經圖穴十八 · 足少陽膽經所發四十四穴 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
懸顱二穴，在曲角顳顬中，手足少陽、陽明之會。 《針經》刺入三分，留七呼，灸三壯According to this text, GB5 lies in the middle of the temple at the curved corner of the hairline, at the meeting of the hand and foot Shaoyang and Yangming. Citing the Zhenjing, it gives needling of 3 fen, retained for 7 breaths, with 3 moxa cones.
《針方六集》 Zhēnfāng Liùjí — Six Collections on Needling, Wu Kun, 1618 · 卷之五·紛署集 · 面部凡三十九穴第十 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
懸顱二穴，禁深刺。 主偏頭風痛，目外眥赤，齒痛身熱，面膚赤腫，鼻洞濁不止，傳為鼽衄，瞑目，熱病煩滿，汗不出The text warns that GB5 must not be needled deeply. It records use for one-sided head-wind pain, redness of the outer canthus, toothache with body heat, red swelling of the facial skin, unceasing turbid nasal discharge turning into nosebleed, closed eyes, and febrile disease with vexation and fullness without sweating.
《醫學入門》 Yīxué Rùmén — Introduction to Medicine, Li Chan, 1575 · 经穴起止 · Source: Wikisource ↗
悬颅斜上额角中，在悬厘间。 针三分，灸三壮。 主面皮赤肿，身热烦满，汗不出According to this text, GB5 lies obliquely up at the corner of the forehead, near Xuanli, needled 3 fen with 3 moxa cones. It records use for red swelling of the facial skin, body heat with vexation and fullness, and absence of sweating.
《類經圖翼》 Lèijīng Túyì — Illustrated Wings to the Classified Canon, Zhang Jiebin, 1624 · 卷八 · 經絡（六） · 足少陽膽經穴 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
百證賦云：兼懸顱，治偏頭痛The text, citing the Baizheng Fu, records that GB5 was used in combination for one-sided headache.
GB5 is one of 44 points on the Gallbladder Channel Meridian. Nearby points:
GB5 (Xuánlú) is located on the side of the head, within the temporal region, superior to the zygomatic arch. The point is located in the area described as 'in the middle of the temple' and superior to the 'curved border' , which refers to the hairline curvature at the temple. It is situated between Hanyan (GB4) and Xuanli (GB6).
GB5 dispels wind, clears heat, alleviates pain, benefits the head and sensory orifices. Common clinical indications include heat disease with vexation and fullness, inability to sweat, one-sided headache, headache with heat in the body, pain that pulls on the outer canthus of the eye, redness of the outer canthus, toothache, nasal congestion with thick, turbid discharge (rhinorrhea), blurred vision, heavy sensation in the head, heat disease with a heavy body.
Transverse (subcutaneous) insertion, 0.5 to 1.5 cun, often directed anteriorly or posteriorly to address headache.
GB5 is a point on the Gallbladder Channel Meridian (Zú Shàoyáng Dǎnjīng).