Objective To investigate the methods for locating and selecting the acupoints of "Taixi"(KI3)

"Shuiquan"(KI5)

"Fuliu"(KI7)

"Jiaoxin"(KI8)

"Zhubin"(KI9)

and "Yingu"(KI10) and the morphological structure of these acupoints in rabbits. Methods According to the WHO and national standards for human acupoints and rabbit X-ray images

acupoint locations were marked using the anatomical landmarks on body surface in 10 New Zealand rabbits. The acupoints were dissected to compare the homologous and analogous tissue between rabbits and human body and thus correct the locations of these acupoints. Potentials were measured for the 10 New Zealand rabbits at the corrected locations of the acupoints and around the acupoints

and the final locations of these acupoints were determined by comparing the anatomical results and the data of potentials. Anatomical observation was performed after marking

and the relationship between acupuncture needle and adjacent structure was observed. Results "Taixi" was located in the ankle area

at the midpoint between the prominence of the medial malleolus and the calca-neal tendon; "Shuiquan" was located in the calcaneal area below "Taixi" in the depression anterior to the calcaneal tuberosity; "Fuliu" was located at the medial side of the calf

at 2 cun above the prominence of the medial malleolus anterior to the calcaneal tendon; "Jiaoxin" was located at the medial side of the calf

at 2 cun above the prominence of the medial malleolus and in the depression posterior to the medial border of the tibia; "Zhubin" was located at the medial side of the calf

at 5 cun above the medial malleolus on the line between "Taixi" and "Yingu"; "Yingu" was located at the medial side of the knee

at the posterior-inferior border of the semitendinosus tendon on the popliteal crease. The results of skin potentials at the acupoints suggested that "Taixi"

"Shuiquan"

"Fuliu"

and "Zhubin" were high-reliability acupoints

"Jiaoxin" was a medium-reliability acupoint

and "Yingu" was a low-reliability acupoint. Conclusion Comparative anatomy combined with imaging

surface anatomy

and electrophysiological techniques of acupoints can help with the accurate localization and selection of acupoints in experimental animals

improve the reliability of acupoint location

and enrich the comparative anatomical data of acupoints.