A Proposed Standard International Acupuncture Nomenclature: Report of a WHO Scientific Group: 3. Proposed standard international acupuncture nomenclature: 3.1 Structure of the proposed nomenclature

A Proposed Standard International Acupuncture Nomenclature: Report of a WHO Scientific Group
(1991; 36 pages)

Table of Contents

	WHO Scientific Group on International Acupuncture Nomenclature
	1. Introduction
	2. Background
		2.1 Historical perspective
		2.2 Towards a standard nomenclature²
		2.3 Essential elements of a standard nomenclature⁴
		2.4 Nomenclature proposals to date⁵
		2.5 The importance of a common language
	3. Proposed standard international acupuncture nomenclature
		3.1 Structure of the proposed nomenclature
		3.2 The 14 main meridians
		3.3 The 361 classical acupuncture points
		3.4 The 8 extra meridians
		3.5 The 48 extra points
		3.6 Scalp acupuncture lines
	4. Recommendations for further action by WHO in the field of acupuncture
		4.1 Dissemination of the proposed standard international acupuncture nomenclature
		4.2 Further standardization of nomenclature
		4.3 Regulation by health authorities
		4.4 Basic training
		4.5 Safety
		4.6 Indications and contraindications
		4.7 Acupuncture equipment
		4.8 Education of the public
		4.9 Clinical and basic research
	Acknowledgements
	Back cover

3.1 Structure of the proposed nomenclature

After discussion of the terminological proposals to date, the Scientific Group reached agreement on the standard international acupuncture nomenclature set out in sections 3.1-3.6.

Structurally, the proposed nomenclature is based on four elements:

(1) the English translation of the Han character name of each meridian;

(2) an alphanumeric code for the acupuncture points, of which the alphabetic part is derived from the English translation of the meridian names⁷ while the numbering follows the agreed course of each meridian;

(3) the Chinese phonetic alphabet (Pinyin) names of meridians and acupuncture points;

(4) the Han character names of meridians and acupuncture points.

⁷ In the case of the 48 extra points and the scalp acupuncture lines, the alphabetic part of the code is derived from the English-language names of parts of the body.

English was chosen because it is the language most commonly used for international communication, including communication at medical congresses and through medical journals having an international readership.

The Han characters represent the full and original names of meridians and points, and are those currently recognized by the Chinese authorities. They tend to be pronounced differently depending on locality. The Pinyin names, intended as an aid to pronunciation, are therefore based on the standard pronunciation in use in China.