Objective To study the position and hierarchical structure of Five-shu points

i.e.

"Guanchong"(TE1)

"Yemen"(TE2)

"Zhongzhu"(TE3)

"Yangchi"(TE4) and "Zhigou"(TE6)

and the Source-point "Tianjing"(TE10) of the Triple Energizer(TE) Meridian in the rabbit. Methods Based on WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region(WHO Standard) and National Standard(GB/T 22103-2008) for Acupuncture Point Locations in human body

and combined with X-ray images

the hierarchical structure of Five-shu points and Source-point of the TE Meridian were observed in ten New Zealand rabbits. The acupoint locations were determined by comparing the same name tissues of the rabbits and human body after dissecting the above-mentioned acupoints. After inserting acupuncture needles into the aforementioned acupoints

the relationship between the acupuncture needle and adjacent structure were dissected and measured. Results "Guanchong"(TE1) was located on the lateral side of the 4

(th)

terminal phalanx

and behind the corner of the onyx root. When needled

the penetrated tissues of the acupuncture needle are skin

superficial fascia

deep fascia

and the root region of the 4(th) terminal phalanx

and behind the corner of the onyx root. When needled

the penetrated tissues of the acupuncture needle are skin

superficial fascia

deep fascia

and the root region of the 4

(th)

phalanx

respectively. "Yemen"(TE2) was located between the 4(th) phalanx

respectively. "Yemen"(TE2) was located between the 4

(th)

and 5(th) and 5

(th)

onyxes

at the depression of intersection of coat hair superior to the fingerweb edge. When needled

the penetrated tissues of the acupuncture needle are the superficial fascia

deep fascia and lumbrical muscles of the forepaw

respectively. "Zhongzhu"(TE3) was located between the 4(th) onyxes

at the depression of intersection of coat hair superior to the fingerweb edge. When needled

the penetrated tissues of the acupuncture needle are the superficial fascia

deep fascia and lumbrical muscles of the forepaw

respectively. "Zhongzhu"(TE3) was located between the 4

(th)

and 5(th) and 5

(th)

metacarpal bones

at the depression proximal to the 4(th) metacarpal bones

at the depression proximal to the 4

(th)

metacarpophalangeal joint. When needled

the penetrated tissues are skin

superficial fascia

deep fascia

and lumbrical muscle

respectively. "Yangchi"(TE4) was positioned at the dorsal side of the forepaw

and the surface connection line between the accessory and radial bones intersected with the depression of the extensor digitorum communis on the ulnar side. When needled

the penetrated tissues are skin

superficial fascia

deep fascia

and the ulnar side of the common extensor tendon

respectively. "Zhigou"(TE6) was positioned between the radius and ulna

on the posterior aspect of the forelimb and 3 Bone-cun proximal to the distal dorsal forepaw crease. When needled

the penetrated tissues are skin

superficial fascia

deep fascia

and the extensor digitorum

respectively. "Tianjing"(TE10) was located at the junction of the body of humerus and the lateral condyle of humerus

on the posterior aspect of the elbow and proximal to the prominence of the olecranon. When needled

the penetrated tissues are skin

superficial fascia

deep fascia

and triceps brachii muscle

respectively. Conclusion The Five-shu points and Source-point of the TE Meridian on the forelimb in rabbits are innervated by the cutaneous branches of the ulnar radial nerve and the medial brachial cutaneous nerve at the superficial layer

and by the branches of the ulnar nerve and radial nerve in the deep layer

accompanied with cephalic vein and forearm blood vessels and their branches.