In this article

the authors discuss the depth of the acupoint and the depth of the acupuncture needle insertion from the following 5 aspects: 1) the depth of the acupoint depends on the location of the meridian

2) the depth of needle insertion depends on the depth of the acupoint

3) both the depth of the acupoint and needle insertion depend on the needling sensations

(4) the) depth of the acupoint doesn't equal to the safe depth of needle insertion

and 5) the depth of needle-insertion is judged by the therapeutic effect.The depth of the acupoint

the depth of needle insertion and the safe depth of needle insertion are closely related to each other but their concepts are different.The needle insertion should be within the safe depth so as to avoid unnecessary injury or accidents.In particular

when an acupuncture needle inserted

the local anatomical structure

the patient's constitution

the state of the disease

the season

the direction and angles of the needle-tip

different layers(dermal part

aponeurotic system

meridian or the collateral of the meridian

etc) of the body should be considered together in clinical practice.