Vertex acupuncture points — 3D atlas

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

The Vertex region contains 20 acupuncture points (meridians: BL, EX, GB, GV, ST). The interactive atlas below opens directly on this region: click a point for its booklet (location, needling, indications, combinations), turn on labels, or start the tour.

Open this region in the full atlas ↗

Points in this region (20)

CodeNameLocation
BL3
Méi Chōng
Méi ChōngDirectly superior to the medial end of the eyebrow, 0.5 cun within the anterior hairline, vertically aligned with Zanzhu (BL2) and Jingming…
BL4
Quchai
QuchaiOn the head, 1.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline, located 0.5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline. This places it 1.5 cun lateral to…
BL5
Wuchu
WuchuOn the head, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline at the level of Shangxing (DU23), which is 1 cun posterior to the anterior hairline.
BL6
Chengguang
Receiving LightOn the scalp, 2.5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline and 1.5 cun lateral to the midline, on a line connecting BL5 (Wuchu) and BL7…
BL7
Tongtian
TongtianOn the head, 4.0 cun superior to the anterior hairline and 1.5 cun lateral to the midline, on a line connecting BL4 Qucha and BL8 Luoque…
BL8
Luoche
LuocheOn the scalp, 5.5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline and 1.5 cun lateral to the midline, which is 1.5 cun posterior to BL7 (Tongtian).
EX-HN1
EX-HN2
GB13
Benshen
Benshen translates to 'Root of the Spirit'On the head, directly superior to the outer canthus of the eye, located 0.5 cun within the anterior hairline and 3 cun lateral to the…
GB15
Toulinqi
Head Overlooking TearsDirectly superior to the pupil of the eye, located 0.5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline, within a palpable depression.
GB16
Muchuang
Eye WindowOn the head, 2.5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline and 2.25 cun lateral to the midline. This point is located 1 cun posterior to GB15…
GB17
Zhengying
ZhengyingOn the head, 2.5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline and 2.25 cun lateral to the midline, or 1 cun posterior to GB16 (Muchuang).
GB18
Chengling
Receiving the SpiritOn the head, 4 cun directly superior to the anterior hairline and 2.25 cun lateral to the midline, or 1.5 cun posterior to GB17 (Zhengying).
GV19
Houding
HoudingOn the posterior midline of the head, 1.5 cun directly posterior to DU20 (Baihui), and 4 cun superior to the external occipital…
GV20
Baihui
BaihuiOn the midline of the head, 1.5 cun posterior to the point Qianding (DU21), at the center of the vertex. This point is often found in a…
GV21
Qianding
QiandingOn the midline of the head, in a depression in the bone, 1.5 cun posterior to Xinhui (DU22). This places it 3 cun posterior to the anterior…
GV22
Xinhui
Fontanelle MeetingOn the midline of the head, in a palpable depression 1 cun posterior to DU21 (Qianding) and 2 cun posterior to the anterior hairline. This…
GV23
Shangxing
Upper StarOn the midline of the head, in a palpable depression one cun posterior to the anterior hairline, directly superior to the nose.
GV24
Shenting
ShentingOn the midline of the head, 0.5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline, directly superior to the bridge of the nose.
ST8
Touwei
TouweiAt the corner of the forehead, 0.5 cun within the anterior hairline, 4.5 cun lateral to the midline of the head.

Other regions: Head & neck: Face · Side of head · temple & ear · Back of head · Front of neck · Back of neck

How many acupuncture points are in the Vertex?

The Vertex region of the atlas lists 20 points: BL3, BL4, BL5, BL6, BL7, BL8, EX-HN1, EX-HN2, GB13, GB15, GB16, GB17, GB18, GV19, GV20, GV21, GV22, GV23, GV24, ST8.

How do I locate a point in the Vertex?

Open the point in the 3D atlas: the booklet gives the standard location, a cun ruler from the nearest bony landmark, and a step-by-step description.

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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.