Zhangmen (LV13)
Zhangmen (LV13), “Gate of Order”, is a point on the Liver meridian. It is point 13 of the 14 on the channel. Front-Mu of the Spleen and Influential point of the Zang organs: harmonizes Liver and Spleen and moves stagnant Qi.
Location
On the lateral side of the abdomen, at the free end of the 11th rib.
Functions according to tradition
Front-Mu of the Spleen and Influential point of the Zang organs: harmonizes Liver and Spleen and moves stagnant Qi.
Traditional indications
- Hypochondriac distension
- Rib-side pain
- Weak digestion
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal masses
Indications described by tradition; they do not amount to proven clinical effectiveness for each one.
What its classification means
On the chest or abdomen, where the Qi of an organ “gathers”. Its tenderness to pressure guides diagnosis; it is used more in acute conditions and those of the fu organs.
One of the eight points that tradition credits with a special influence over a tissue or substance: Qi, Blood, tendons, marrow, vessels, bones, zang organs or fu organs.
Two or more channels meet here, so it is credited with acting on all of them.
Precautions
Do not needle deeply: the spleen (left) and liver (right) lie beneath the lower ribs.
Points on other channels with similar indications
They share several traditional indications with this point. Comparing them helps understand why one or the other is chosen.
- BL20 Pishu (Bladder): Weak digestion
- CV12 Zhongwan (Ren Mai (Conception Vessel)): Diarrhea
- CV6 Qihai (Ren Mai (Conception Vessel)): Weak digestion
- KI14 Siman (Kidney): Abdominal masses
- SP13 Fushe (Spleen): Abdominal masses
- SP15 Daheng (Spleen): Diarrhea
Point profile
- Code
- LV13
- Pinyin name
- Zhāng Mén
- Characters
- 章门
- Translation
- Gate of Order
- Meridian
- Liver
- Element
- Wood
- Classification
- Front-Mu (SP), Influential point of Zang organs, Crossing point
- Topics
- Digestion, Liver
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
