The 'Empty Basin' of the upper chest. Quepen (ST-12) sits in the hollow above the collarbone, where several meridians converge — a natural crossroads that helps Qi descend, opens the chest and relieves cough and breathlessness.
Name & story
The name 缺盆 Quepen means 'Empty Basin' or 'Hollow Basin' — and the name is beautifully literal. Press your finger just above the middle of your collarbone and you feel a natural hollow, like a small basin or bowl, sitting there in the shoulder. That hollow is the point. In Chinese medicine, the image of an empty basin also suggests a place where things gather and flow — where the channels of several organs pass through on their way up and down the body.
Point family & character
Quepen (ST-12) belongs to the Stomach Meridian (ST). It is notable as a meeting point — the Stomach, Large Intestine, Small Intestine, Sanjiao and Gall Bladder channels all converge here. This makes it one of the busiest crossroads on the upper body.
Five-element dynamics
The Stomach Meridian (ST) travels a long path from the face all the way down to the foot, and Quepen ST-12 sits right at the threshold where the channel dips from the neck into the chest. Here, at the top of the body's middle section, the descending movement of Qi is critical — especially Lung Qi, which must flow downward to allow normal breathing. When rebellious Qi rises instead, the chest fills, coughs arise and breathing becomes laboured. Quepen, sitting at this gateway, helps restore the natural downward direction.
Location
In the supraclavicular area, behind the superior border of the clavicle at its midpoint, 4 Cun lateral to the midline, along the mamillary line. Simply find the midpoint of your collarbone and feel for the natural hollow just above and behind it — that is Quepen ST-12.
Anatomy & fascia
The point lies in the supraclavicular fossa — the hollow area just above and behind the clavicle (collarbone), at its midpoint. Beneath and nearby lie important structures: the subclavian vessels and the apex of the lung.
Needling
Perpendicular insertion along the posterior border of the clavicle. The needle is directed carefully, following the back of the collarbone rather than angling downward toward the lung.
Safe depth
0.3 to 0.5 Cun.
The golden tip
You can gently feel and lightly press the hollow just above the midpoint of your collarbone. Light, careful fingertip pressure — never deep or forceful — may help ease a sense of tightness or fullness in the upper chest. Always apply only gentle touch here.
For education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.