Analysis of Location Descriptions for KI10 (Eumgok) and LR8 (Gokcheon) in Classical Acupuncture Literature

Objectives : This study aimed to analyze the location descriptions of KI10 (Eumgok) and LR8 (Gokcheon) in classical acupuncture literature and identify the causes of discrepancies between traditional texts and modern standardized locations.Methods : We reviewed descriptions of KI10 and LR8 in 15 classical acupuncture texts from 259 CE to 1817 CE.Additionally, we examined acupoint diagrams and the Korean bronze acupuncture figure (Chimgeumdongin, 1741) to visually confirm the relative positions of these two points.The analysis focused on three key aspects: the definition of naebogol (medial condyle), the interpretation of daegeun (large tendon) and sogeun (small tendon), and needling postures including knee crease.Results : Classical texts consistently described KI10 as located 'below the large tendon and above the small tendon,' while LR8 was described as 'above the large tendon and below the small tendon,' with some textual variations over time.In acupoint diagrams from four major texts, LR8 was consistently positioned more proximally and medially than KI10.However, the Korean Chimgeumdongin showed an unusual positioning with KI10 located more proximally than LR8.Conclusions : The study identified three primary sources of interpretative differences: (1) whether naebogol refers to the medial condyle of the femur or tibia, (2) the anatomical identification of daegeun and sogeun as different muscle groups, and (3) variations in needling posture and knee crease interpretation.We propose that for accurate clinical localization, KI10's naebogol should be interpreted as the medial condyle of the tibia, while LR8's should refer to the medial epicondyle of the femur.Both points share the semitendinosus as the daegeun but differ in their sogeun: semimembranosus for KI10 and gracilis or sartorius for LR8.This analysis provides a foundation for resolving discrepancies between traditional descriptions and contemporary clinical practice.