Large Intestine 18 (LI 18) Fu Tu — Support the Prominence

This point, on the neck beside the larynx, benefits the throat and voice and descends rebellious qi.

Large Intestine 18 (LI 18) Fu Tu 扶突 — Support the Prominence

Location

On the lateral neck, level with the laryngeal prominence (Adam's apple), between the sternal and clavicular heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Anatomy

Between the heads of sternocleidomastoid; deep lie the ascending cervical artery and the carotid sheath; the great auricular and cutaneous cervical nerves and, deeper, the vagus nerve.

Actions & Functions

  • Benefits the throat and the voice
  • Descends rebellious qi and relieves cough and asthma
  • Dissipates phlegm nodules

Indications

Sore throat, sudden loss of voice, cough and asthma, goitre and scrofula, and difficulty swallowing.

Needling

0.3-0.5 cun, perpendicular insertion; needle with care.

Moxibustion Suitability

Suitable for moxibustion.

Point Combinations

With LI-17 and REN-22 for throat and voice disorders.

Classical Text References

Used classically for disorders of the throat, voice and breathing.

Cautions & Contraindications

The carotid artery and vagus nerve lie deep and medial; needle shallowly and avoid deep medial insertion.

Latest Research

Latest peer-reviewed research on this point will be summarised here, with citations linked to PubMed, via our research integration.

About Attilio

Doctor of Chinese medicine, acupuncture expert and author of My Fertility Guide and My Pregnancy Guide.

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PubMed research

Acupuncture Shows Sustained Benefits for Chronic Daily Headache Prevention in Adults, Meta-Analysis Finds

Research summary (Acupuncture): Utility of Acupuncture Therapy for Adult Chronic Daily Headache Prophylaxis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. - Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research, 2026.