Leah Meltz1, Daniel Ortiz2, Poney Chiang1,3. 1. River Clinic Integrative Medicine, Markham, Ontario, Canada. 2. Integrative Medicine-Acupuncture, Institute for Advanced Medicine, Mount Sinai St. Luke's and West Hospitals, New York, NY, USA. 3. Faculty of Health, Department of Health Science, School of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
Objective: Acupuncture continues to gain popularity as a first treatment option for a variety of conditions; however, an in-depth understanding of the relationships between the acupoints and the underlying anatomy of the human body is often unclear. This article updates the anatomical relationship between facial acupoints and the trigeminal nerve (CN V) and contrasts the results against the standard textbook Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Methods: A literature review, cadaver dissection, and a neuroanatomical stimulation of the CN V was conducted, focusing on the anatomical locations of the acupoints along the CN V on the face and nerve block targets. The results were contrasted against the standard acupoint location and nerve targets described in Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Results: The present article classifies CN V acupuncture targets according to 4 different types: (1) trunk; (2) bifurcation; (3) branch; and (4) anastomoses. The results of this exploration highlight the specificity with which acupoints are located in relation to the CN V. Areas of high nerve density correspond to several acupoints. Consequently, acupoints overlay closely with CN V branches as they emerge and bifurcate on the face. Conclusions: There is a clear and neuroanatomically relevant relationship between facial acupoints and the CN V. Copyright 2020, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
Objective: Acupuncture continues to gain popularity as a first treatment option for a variety of conditions; however, an in-depth understanding of the relationships between the acupoints and the underlying anatomy of the human body is often unclear. This article updates the anatomical relationship between facial acupoints and the trigeminal nerve (CN V) and contrasts the results against the standard textbook Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Methods: A literature review, cadaver dissection, and a neuroanatomical stimulation of the CN V was conducted, focusing on the anatomical locations of the acupoints along the CN V on the face and nerve block targets. The results were contrasted against the standard acupoint location and nerve targets described in Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Results: The present article classifies CN V acupuncture targets according to 4 different types: (1) trunk; (2) bifurcation; (3) branch; and (4) anastomoses. The results of this exploration highlight the specificity with which acupoints are located in relation to the CN V. Areas of high nerve density correspond to several acupoints. Consequently, acupoints overlay closely with CN V branches as they emerge and bifurcate on the face. Conclusions: There is a clear and neuroanatomically relevant relationship between facial acupoints and the CN V. Copyright 2020, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
Authors: Youjin Chang; David Cantelmi; Jonathan J Wisco; Adel Fattah; Alan G Hannam; Anne M Agur Journal: J Oral Maxillofac Surg Date: 2013-07 Impact factor: 1.895