LI17 Celestial Countenance

Reviewed by · Licensed Acupuncturist & TCM Physician · Last reviewed June 2026

LI17 (Tiān Róng, “Celestial Countenance”) is the Window of Heaven point of the Large Intestine Meridian. It is located on the side of the neck, posterior to the angle of the mandible, in the depression on the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. It descends rebellious Qi, benefits the throat and ears, clears heat, and alleviates swelling.

Location

On the side of the neck, posterior to the angle of the mandible, in the depression on the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Needling

Perpendicular or slightly posterior-oblique insertion, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Avoid deep medial insertion to prevent injury to the carotid artery and other deep structures.

TCM functions

Descends rebellious Qi, benefits the throat and ears, clears heat, and alleviates swelling..

Indications

Yang Qi rebelling upwards to fill the chest, wheezing and panting where one must sit or bend over, inability to breathe, aversion to dust and smoke, chest fullness and inability to breathe, cough with rebellious Qi, vomiting frothy saliva, goiter, scrofula and boils on the neck, neck swelling, inability to turn the head, inability to speak, chest pain, lockjaw, deafness, tinnitus, cold and heat sensations, head and neck carbuncles and swelling, cheek swelling, hernia and accumulation with chest pain that prevents bending..

Window of Heaven

Clinical notes

As a Window of Heaven point, Tian Rong is classically indicated for severe rebellious Qi disorders, such as extreme shortness of breath, wheezing, and a sense of fullness rising to the chest. Its location also makes it a key local point for swelling and pain in the throat, neck, and jaw, including goiter and scrofula. It is also used for auditory issues like deafness and tinnitus, reflecting the channel's connection to the ear.

On the Large Intestine channel

LI17 is one of 20 points on the Large Intestine Meridian. Nearby points:

Frequently asked questions

Where is LI17 located?

LI17 (Tiān Róng) is located on the side of the neck, posterior to the angle of the mandible, in the depression on the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

What is LI17 used for?

LI17 descends rebellious Qi, benefits the throat and ears, clears heat, and alleviates swelling. Common clinical indications include yang Qi rebelling upwards to fill the chest, wheezing and panting where one must sit or bend over, inability to breathe, aversion to dust and smoke, chest fullness and inability to breathe, cough with rebellious Qi, vomiting frothy saliva, goiter, scrofula and boils on the neck, neck swelling, inability to turn the head, inability to speak, chest pain, lockjaw, deafness, tinnitus, cold and heat sensations, head and neck carbuncles and swelling, cheek swelling, hernia and accumulation with chest pain that prevents bending.

How is LI17 needled?

Perpendicular or slightly posterior-oblique insertion, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Avoid deep medial insertion to prevent injury to the carotid artery and other deep structures.

Which meridian is LI17 on?

LI17 is a point on the Large Intestine Meridian (Shǒu Yángmíng Dàcháng Jīng).

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⚠️ This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Acupuncture is a traditional practice; evidence varies by condition and study quality, and individual results differ. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a licensed professional. Always consult a qualified acupuncturist or physician.