Standard Acupuncture Nomenclature, Second Edition
(1993; 1 page)

Abstract

Meets the pressing need for a uniform, standardized nomenclature for acupuncture. In its second edition, the nomenclature has been extensively revised following a number of consultations with experts representing all the major traditions of acupuncture.

The nomenclature covers the 361 classical acupuncture points organized according to the fourteen meridians. Each entry gives the standardized name of the point in its three elements: an alphanumeric code derived from the English language translation of the meridian name, the Chinese phonetic alphabet (Pinyin) name, and the Han (Chinese) character. The original form of the writing is shown first, followed by a simplified form of the character. Each entry also provides a brief comment on the point, explaining the meaning of the Han character and the significance of the point's location. Use of the nomenclature is facilitated by the inclusion of two indexes. The first lists the equivalent names and code names of the acupuncture points as used in English, French, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese. The second lists the Han characters for the 361 points.

Standard Acupuncture Nomenclature, Second Edition

The widespread use and development of acupuncture and moxibustion in the world has led to both increasing international academic and scientific exchange on this topic and a rise in the number of publications on acupuncture. Consequently, there have been numerous translations of Chinese language acupuncture texts. Differences in the spelling and pronunciation of Chinese characters have led to the same acupuncture point having a wide variety of names. Furthering the potential for confusion, an array of alphanumeric codes has been given to meridian names and acupuncture points. There is an urgent need for a standard name and alphanumeric code.

In late 1980, the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO) began exploring the possibility of standardizing acupuncture nomenclature. This document compares the WPRO recommended standard nomenclature with the equivalent names and codes of meridians and acupuncture points as used in a number of publications in English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Vietnamese.

Standard Acupuncture Nomenclature, WHO Regional Publications, Western Pacific Series No. 1, WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, 1984 (9 Swiss Francs)

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