LI18 (Fú Tū, “Support Prominence”) is the Window of Heaven point of the Large Intestine Meridian. It is located on the neck, on the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, level with the tip of the laryngeal prominence (Adam's apple), 3 cun lateral to the midline. It benefits the throat and voice, alleviates cough and wheezing, regulates qi flow.
On the neck, on the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, level with the tip of the laryngeal prominence (Adam's apple), 3 cun lateral to the midline.
Perpendicular or slightly posterior-medial insertion 0.5-0.8 cun. Avoid the carotid artery by palpating for the pulse and inserting posterior to it.
Benefits the throat and voice, alleviates cough and wheezing, regulates qi flow.
Cough, wheezing, sore throat, sudden loss of voice, difficulty swallowing, goiter, scrofula, much phlegm, throat sounds, qi blockage, sudden hoarseness with qi obstruction, vomiting phlegm, lockjaw.
Futu is a key local point for acute and chronic throat conditions, particularly those involving phlegm, swelling, or sudden loss of voice. Its classification as a Window of Heaven point highlights its ability to regulate the flow of qi between the head and the body, making it useful for cough and wheezing with a sense of blockage in the throat. The classical indications consistently point to its effectiveness for clearing the throat and restoring vocal function.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《醫學入門》 Yīxué Rùmén — Introduction to Medicine, Li Chan, 1575 · 经穴起止 · Source: Wikisource ↗
扶突曲颊下一寸，仰而取之，针入四分，灸三壮，主舌本出，咳逆上气喘急，喉中如水鸡鸣The text records that LI18, 1 cun below the curve of the jaw and located with the head tilted back, was needled 0.4 cun with 3 moxa cones for protrusion of the tongue root, cough with rising qi and urgent panting, and a croaking sound in the throat like a water frog.
《針灸資生經》 Zhēnjiǔ Zīshēng Jīng — Classic of Nourishing Life with Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 1220 · Source: Wikisource ↗
扶突 二穴．一名水穴．在人迎後寸半．灸三壯．針三分．素注、在頸當曲頰下一寸人迎後．仰而取之According to this text, LI18 (also called Shuixue) lies 1.5 cun behind Renying; 3 moxa cones, needle 0.3 cun. The Suwen commentary places it on the neck 1 cun below the curve of the jaw behind Renying, located with the head tilted back.
《針方六集》 Zhēnfāng Liùjí — Six Collections on Needling, Wu Kun, 1618 · 卷之五·紛署集 · 頸凡十七穴第十二 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
扶突二穴，主咳嗽多唾，上氣喘息，喉鳴如水雞聲，暴喑氣哽The text records that LI18 was used for cough with much spittle, rising qi with panting, a croaking throat like a water frog, and sudden loss of voice with choking qi.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷09 · Source: Wikisource ↗
咳逆上氣，咽喉鳴喝喘息，扶突主之The text records that LI18 was used for cough with rising qi and wheezing, rasping breath in the throat.
LI18 is one of 20 points on the Large Intestine Meridian. Nearby points:
LI18 (Fú Tū) is located on the neck, on the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, level with the tip of the laryngeal prominence (Adam's apple), 3 cun lateral to the midline.
LI18 benefits the throat and voice, alleviates cough and wheezing, regulates qi flow. Common clinical indications include cough, wheezing, sore throat, sudden loss of voice, difficulty swallowing, goiter, scrofula, much phlegm, throat sounds, qi blockage, sudden hoarseness with qi obstruction, vomiting phlegm, lockjaw.
Perpendicular or slightly posterior-medial insertion 0.5-0.8 cun. Avoid the carotid artery by palpating for the pulse and inserting posterior to it. Caution: Adjacent to the carotid artery — palpate and avoid the vessel; do not needle into a pulsating artery. The classical texts emphasize locating this point in relation to the major artery in the neck (Renying, ST9). Modern practice requires careful palpation to avoid the carotid artery.
LI18 is a point on the Large Intestine Meridian (Shǒu Yángmíng Dàcháng Jīng).