Objective To observe the anatomic structure of the Five Shu-acupoints:"Shaoze"(SI 1)

"Qiangu"(SI 2)

"Houxi"(SI 3)

"Yanggu"(SI 5)and"Xiaohai"(SI 8)regions of the Taiyang Meridian in the rabbit's forelimb.Methods Thirty rabbits(half male and half female)were used in the present study.The Five Shu-acupoints regions were located first based on the atlas of rabbits

stimulated by needling and confirmed later by using an electronic acupoint detector.Under anesthesia

the rabbit was perfused with warm normal saline via the common carotid artery and the internal jugular vein

followed by arterial perfusion of dental base acrylic resin powder(30g)

dibutylphthalate(6mL)

red couring agent liquid for denture acrylic and acetoacetate(2mL)

respectively;and venous perfusion of 30%gelatin(filtered)and black ink(filtered)and formaldehyde(8%).After fixing in 8%formaldehyde for 10days

the rabbit's forelimb containing the aforementioned Five Shu-acupoints were carefully dissected layer by layer

followed by observing the local anatomic structure under microscope.Results The superficial layers of these acupoint regions mainly contained the basilic vein and its branches

and the superficial branch of the ulnar nerve.The deep layers chiefly comprised of the ulnar artery

the ulnar vein and their branches

and the ulnar nerve.Conclusion In"Shaoze"(SI 1)

"Qiangu"(SI 2)

"Houxi"(SI 3)

"Yanggu"(SI 5)and"Xiaohai"(SI 8)acupoint regions

the ulnar artery

basilic vein

ulnar vein and their branches

the ulnar nerve and its superficial branches are found

which constitute the morphological basis of the five acupoints of the Hand-Taiyang Meridian for treating some related clinical disorders.