TB21 (Ěrmén, “Ear Gate”) is an acupuncture point on the Triple Burner Meridian. It is located anterior to the ear, in the depression found at the supratragic notch when the mouth is slightly open. It opens the ear, clears heat, benefits the teeth and jaw.
Anterior to the ear, in the depression found at the supratragic notch when the mouth is slightly open.
With the mouth slightly open, insert the needle perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 cun. It is common to ask the patient to open and close the mouth to ensure the needle is not in the condyloid process.
Opens the ear, clears heat, benefits the teeth and jaw.
eartinnitus like cicada chirping, ear (deafness), ear (ear pain), earpurulent discharge from the ear, earsores in the ear, head and jaw pain, tooth decay/caries, upper tooth decay/caries, stiffness of the lips, inability to speak after wind-stroke, infantile epilepsy and fright, vomiting, diarrhea.
As its name 'Ear Gate' suggests, Ermen is a crucial local point for a wide range of ear disorders, particularly tinnitus and deafness. Its location also makes it effective for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues and upper tooth pain, as noted in the classics. The classical texts emphasize its role in treating both ear noise and hearing loss, often mentioning it alongside the other two 'gates' of the ear, Tinggong and Tinghui.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《類經圖翼》 Lèijīng Túyì — Illustrated Wings to the Classified Canon, Zhang Jiebin, 1624 · 卷七 · 經絡（五） · 手少陽三焦經穴 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
耳門 在耳前起肉，當耳缺處陷中。 刺三分，留三呼，灸三壯。 一云禁灸。 主治耳聾聤耳膿汁，耳生瘡，齒齲唇吻強According to this text, TB21 lies on the raised flesh in front of the ear, in the depression at the notch of the ear, needled 0.3 cun, retained for 3 breaths, with 3 moxa cones (one view forbids moxibustion); it was used for deafness, ears discharging pus, sores in the ear, tooth decay, and stiffness of the lips.
《針灸資生經》 Zhēnjiǔ Zīshēng Jīng — Classic of Nourishing Life with Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 1220 · Source: Wikisource ↗
耳門 二穴．在耳前起肉當耳缺者陷中．針三分．留三呼． 灸三壯．明下雲禁灸．有病不過三壯According to this text, TB21 lies on the raised flesh in front of the ear, in the depression at the notch, needled 0.3 cun and retained for 3 breaths, with 3 moxa cones; the Ming text forbids moxibustion, and states that even when there is disease no more than 3 cones should be given.
TB21 is one of 23 points on the Triple Burner Meridian. Nearby points:
TB21 (Ěrmén) is located anterior to the ear, in the depression found at the supratragic notch when the mouth is slightly open.
TB21 opens the ear, clears heat, benefits the teeth and jaw. Common clinical indications include eartinnitus like cicada chirping, ear (deafness), ear (ear pain), earpurulent discharge from the ear, earsores in the ear, head and jaw pain, tooth decay/caries, upper tooth decay/caries, stiffness of the lips, inability to speak after wind-stroke, infantile epilepsy and fright, vomiting, diarrhea.
With the mouth slightly open, insert the needle perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 cun. It is common to ask the patient to open and close the mouth to ensure the needle is not in the condyloid process. Caution: Contraindicated to moxibustion if there is pus in the ear. (Jia Yi Jing)
TB21 is a point on the Triple Burner Meridian (Sān Jiāo).