Objective To explore the anatomical structure of acupuncture point Qiuhou(EX-HN7) area for safe insertion of acupuncture needle. Methods A total of 28 orbital specimens of adult corpses(14 men and 14 women) were randomly selected to be observed by anatomical sectioning and layering methods. The acupoint EX-HN7

located at the junction between the 1/4 of the outer boundary and 3/4 of the inner boundary of the infraorbital margin according to the "Standardization of Acupoint Position" implemented by the People's Republic of China

and marked first with a color pen

followed by cutting the head into horizontal sections along the cross line by using a cadaver cutter and measuring the distance between the skin and blood vessels and main nerves with a digimatic caliper. When the anatomic hierarchy was performed

the blood vessels and nerves in the orbit

the morphological characteristics of the structure around the needle body were particularly focused. Results When an acupuncture needle was vertically inserted into EX-HN7 region

the tissues through which the needle passes are skin

subcutaneous tissue

orbicularis muscle

orbital adipose body

inferior oblique muscle and inferior orbital wall

respectively. When an acupuncture needle was inserted obliquely upward and along the inferior orbital wall to a depth of(26.5±1.7)mm

the needle tip met the posterior ciliary artery; when to a depth of(41.4±1.3)mm

it reached the superior ophthalmic vein. When inserted to a depth of(40.4±1.5)mm

the needle tip may damage the ophthalmic artery and optic nerve. When the acupuncture needle was inserted inferiorly and closely along the orbital inferior wall to a depth of(13.2±1.4)mm

the infraorbital artery in the suborbital sulcus would be hurt. Conclusion It is recommended that when insert vertically into a depth of 12.0 mm in EX-HN7

the acupuncture needle tip should be slightly inclined inward and posterior-upward

and the depth should not exceed 26.0 mm.