SP11 (Jīmén, “Jīmén”) is an acupuncture point on the Spleen Channel Meridian. It is located on the medial aspect of the thigh, superior to the medial epicondyle of the femur, in a palpable depression over the femoral artery between the sartorius and vastus medialis muscles. The classics place it on the 'fish belly' (belly of the vastus medialis) where a pulsation is felt, between tendons. It regulates urination, clears heat, and resolves dampness from the lower jiao.
On the medial aspect of the thigh, superior to the medial epicondyle of the femur, in a palpable depression over the femoral artery between the sartorius and vastus medialis muscles. The classics place it on the 'fish belly' (belly of the vastus medialis) where a pulsation is felt, between tendons.
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.5 cun, avoiding the femoral artery. The artery should be palpated and displaced laterally before needling.
Regulates urination, clears heat, and resolves dampness from the lower jiao.
Urinary retention, difficult urination, incontinence, enuresis, inguinal swelling and pain, pain in the groin.
Jīmén is a key local point for disorders of the groin and genitourinary system. Its classical indications focus almost exclusively on regulating urination, treating both retention (difficulty, blockage) and incontinence (enuresis, leakage). It is also indicated for local issues like inguinal swelling and pain, reflecting its location on the channel pathway.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷03 · Source: Wikisource ↗
箕門，在魚腹上越兩筋間，動脈應手，太陰內部，足太陰脈氣所發，刺入三分，留六呼，灸三壯According to this text, SP11 lies above the 'fish belly' of the thigh, between two sinews, where a pulse is felt, on the inner Taiyin area; it is where the foot Taiyin qi emerges. Needle 0.3 cun, retain six breaths, moxibustion 3 cones.
《醫學入門》 Yīxué Rùmén — Introduction to Medicine, Li Chan, 1575 · 经穴起止 · Source: Wikisource ↗
箕门血海上六寸，阴股内动脉应手筋间。 禁针，灸三壮。 主淋及小腹肿痛According to this text, SP11 lies 6 cun above Xuehai (SP10), between the sinews where a pulse is felt on the inner thigh; needling is prohibited, moxibustion 3 cones. It was used for painful urinary dribbling (lin) and swelling and pain of the lower abdomen.
《神灸經綸》 Shénjiǔ Jīnglún — Principles of Divine Moxibustion, Wu Yiding, 1851 · 卷之二 · 十二經脈起止 · 脾經二十一穴分寸 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
箕門 從血海上行在魚腹上越兩筋間陰股內廉動脈應手不禁重按灸三壯According to this text, SP11 lies above Xuehai (SP10), above the 'fish belly' between two sinews on the inner thigh, where a pulse is felt and heavy pressure is not tolerated; moxibustion 3 cones.
《針方六集》 Zhēnfāng Liùjí — Six Collections on Needling, Wu Kun, 1618 · 卷之五·紛署集 · 足太陰及股凡二十二穴第二十九 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
箕門二穴，主五淋遺溺，鼠鼷腫痛，小便不通。 一方禁刺The text records that SP11 was used for the five kinds of lin (painful urination), enuresis, swelling and pain of the groin and blocked urination, and notes that one source prohibits needling it.
SP11 is one of 21 points on the Spleen Channel Meridian. Nearby points:
SP11 (Jīmén) is located on the medial aspect of the thigh, superior to the medial epicondyle of the femur, in a palpable depression over the femoral artery between the sartorius and vastus medialis muscles. The classics place it on the 'fish belly' (belly of the vastus medialis) where a pulsation is felt, between tendons.
SP11 regulates urination, clears heat, and resolves dampness from the lower jiao. Common clinical indications include urinary retention, difficult urination, incontinence, enuresis, inguinal swelling and pain, pain in the groin.
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.5 cun, avoiding the femoral artery. The artery should be palpated and displaced laterally before needling. Caution: Adjacent to the femoral artery — palpate and avoid the vessel; do not needle into a pulsating artery. The Zhen Jiu Da Cheng lists Jīmén in its 'Forbidden Needle Points Song', suggesting caution is warranted. Modern anatomy confirms the proximity of the femoral artery and nerve, which must be avoided.
SP11 is a point on the Spleen Channel Meridian (Zú Tài Yīn Pí Jīng).