Objective: The purpose of this study is to clarify the anatomical relationship between the acupoints of the middle deltoid bundle and the axillary nerve, so as to provide safety and accurate guidance for clinical acupuncture. Materials and Methods: Fourteen fresh frozen adult cadavers (28 shoulders) were dissected. The anterior margin of the acromion, the midpoint of the acromion, the posterior margin of the acromion, the insertion of the middle deltoid bundle (LI14) and axillary nerve point were marked. In addition, the electronic vernier caliper was used to measure the transverse width of the thumb knuckle (the widest part of the thumb), and the length of 1 cun was calculated to determine the location of the Jianzhong-Acupoint and Jianzhong-Acupoint (jiàn zhōng). The distance between each point was measured and descriptively counted to analyze the anatomical relationship between acupoints and nerves. Results: B is the midpoint of the acromion, E is the Jianzhong-Acupoint, and the other points were based on the correlation between ashi point and local anatomical structure. F is the axillary nerve point, G is the Jianzhong-Acupoint (jiàn zhōng), and I is the middle deltoid bundle (LI14). The mean distance from point B to the other four points on BI was 58.24 ± 8.76 mm for BE, 109.44 ± 12.15 mm for BF, 134.67 ± 11.82 mm for BG, and 174.62 ± 13.29 mm for BI. The distance between the axillary nerve point and the three acupoints was ranked as follows: EF (28.35 ± 5.43 mm) Conclusions: Anatomical studies have made clear the relationship between the Jianzhong-Acupoint and the axillary nerve. Jianzhong-Acupoint (jiàn zhōng) is closer to the axillary nerve than Jianzhong-Acupoint, so Jianzhong-Acupoint (jiàn zhōng) is the preferred therapeutic target for local acupuncture treatment. The clinical treatment of shoulder pain can be combined with acupoints to improve the curative effect. The Angle and depth of acupuncture should be strictly controlled during operation to avoid injury to the axillary nerve. Key words: Jianzhong-Acupoint; Axillary nerve; Anatomical location; Acupuncture safety; The middle deltoid bundle

Qingyuan Li, MD, Chengdu University of TCM