SI18 (Quanliao, “Zygomatic Crevice”) is an acupuncture point on the Small Intestine Channel Meridian. It is located directly inferior to the outer canthus of the eye, in the depression found at the lower border of the zygomatic bone (cheekbone). It expels wind, clears heat, and alleviates pain in the face.
Directly inferior to the outer canthus of the eye, in the depression found at the lower border of the zygomatic bone (cheekbone).
Perpendicular or oblique insertion 0.5-1.0 cun. Oblique insertion may be directed towards the nose for sinus issues or along the cheek for facial paralysis.
Expels wind, clears heat, and alleviates pain in the face.
Facial swelling, cheek pain, toothache, yellowing of the eyes, twitching of the eyelids, deviation of the mouth and eye, difficulty opening the mouth.
Quanliao is a primary local point for any disorder affecting the cheek, upper teeth, and jaw. It is frequently used for trigeminal neuralgia, Bell's palsy, toothache, and sinusitis due to its ability to clear obstruction and alleviate pain along the channel pathway on the face. Its location at the meeting of the Small Intestine and Triple Burner channels enhances its effect on clearing heat and wind from the entire side of the face.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《醫學綱目·刺灸》 Yīxué Gāngmù · Cìjiǔ — Outline of Medicine: Needling and Moxibustion, Lou Ying, 1565 · 卷之八·陰陽臟腑部 · 穴法下 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
顴髎二穴，面鳩骨下廉銳骨端陷中，手少陽太陽之會。 針入三分According to this text, SI18 lies on the face, at the lower border of the cheekbone, in the depression at the tip of the sharp bone; it is a meeting point of the hand Shaoyang and Taiyang. Needle 0.3 cun.
《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 ↗
顴髎二穴，禁不宜灸。 主口喎眼斜，面瞤，目赤䪼腫，齒痛The text states that moxibustion at SI18 is prohibited and records its use for deviation of the mouth and eyes, twitching of the face, red eyes with swelling, and toothache.
《普濟方·針灸門》 Pǔjì Fāng · Zhēnjiǔ Mén — Formulas for Universal Relief: Acupuncture & Moxibustion Section, Zhu Su, 1406 · 卷四百十四 · 針灸門 · 面部第四行左右十穴 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
顴髎二穴 在面頰骨下廉。 銳骨端陷中。 針二分According to this text, SI18 lies at the lower border of the cheekbone, in the depression at the tip of the sharp bone; needle 0.2 cun.
SI18 is one of 19 points on the Small Intestine Channel Meridian. Nearby points:
SI18 (Quanliao) is located directly inferior to the outer canthus of the eye, in the depression found at the lower border of the zygomatic bone (cheekbone).
SI18 expels wind, clears heat, and alleviates pain in the face. Common clinical indications include facial swelling, cheek pain, toothache, yellowing of the eyes, twitching of the eyelids, deviation of the mouth and eye, difficulty opening the mouth.
Perpendicular or oblique insertion 0.5-1.0 cun. Oblique insertion may be directed towards the nose for sinus issues or along the cheek for facial paralysis. Caution: Needling too deeply or superiorly risks injury to the eyeball. Avoid puncturing the maxillary artery which lies deep to this point.
SI18 is a point on the Small Intestine Channel Meridian (Shǒu Tài Yáng Xiǎo Cháng Jīng).