How is SP-16 anatomically described in relation to SP-15?

SP-16, also known as "He Sea of Spleen," is located 3 cun superior to SP-15. To understand the anatomical relationship between these two points, it's beneficial to consider their positioning on the body.

SP-15 is situated on the abdomen, specifically on the lateral side of the rectus abdominis muscle, at the level of the umbilicus (belly button). Given that SP-16 is found superior to this point, it is consistently placed 3 cun above SP-15, maintaining the same lateral positioning relative to the midline of the body. This anatomical description aligns with the traditional Chinese medicine methods of measuring distances between acupuncture points, where "cun" refers to a unit of measurement based on the width of a patient's thumb.

Understanding the placement of these points is core to acupuncture practice as it ensures accurate needling and provides a fundamental grasp of anatomical relationships that contribute to effective treatment strategies.