Which BL point is 3 cun lateral to the midline, at the level of the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra (L2) and aligned with Shènshū BL-23?

Which BL point is 3 cun lateral to the midline, at the level of the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra (L2) and aligned with Shènshū BL-23?

• A. Bl 53
• B. Bl 52
• C. Bl 54
• D. Bl 55

Answer: (B)

On the back, the Kidney back-shu point sits at L2, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline (Shènshū BL-23). The Bladder channel has corresponding points at 3 cun lateral to the midline, and at the same level, the one aligned with Shènshū BL-23 is Bl-52. So at the level of the L2 spinous process, 3 cun lateral to the midline, the point you’d encounter is Bl-52, which is why that option is correct. The other points lie at different levels or distances along the Bladder channel and do not align with the Kidney Shu at L2.

On the back, the Kidney back-shu point sits at L2, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline (Shènshū BL-23). The Bladder channel has corresponding points at 3 cun lateral to the midline, and at the same level, the one aligned with Shènshū BL-23 is Bl-52. So at the level of the L2 spinous process, 3 cun lateral to the midline, the point you’d encounter is Bl-52, which is why that option is correct. The other points lie at different levels or distances along the Bladder channel and do not align with the Kidney Shu at L2.