San Jiao 20 (SJ 20) Jiao Sun — Angle Vertex

This point, at the apex of the ear, benefits the ears, eyes and gums and clears heat.

San Jiao 20 (SJ 20) Jiao Sun 角孫 — Angle Vertex

Location

On the head, directly superior to the ear apex, at the hairline (where the apex of the ear touches the head when folded forward).

Anatomy

On the temporalis muscle; the branches of the superficial temporal artery and vein; the auriculotemporal nerve.

Actions & Functions

  • Clears heat and reduces swelling
  • Benefits the ears, eyes and gums

Indications

Swelling and pain of the cheek and gums, mumps, redness and pain of the eyes, and tinnitus.

Needling

0.1-0.3 cun, transverse insertion; moxa is classically used for mumps.

Moxibustion Suitability

Suitable for moxibustion - classically used for mumps.

Point Combinations

With SJ-17 for mumps and swelling of the cheek.

Classical Text References

A meeting point with the Gall Bladder and Small Intestine channels; classically used for mumps.

Cautions & Contraindications

None specific.

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

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Research summary (Qi Gong): Self-Guided Internet-Based Mindfulness-Informed Stress Management for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial With Longitu - Journal of medical Internet research, 2026.