A symposium was held to focus attention on the position of the meridian point GV 14, which has been con-troversial over the centuries.
To summarize the symposium opinions : (1) Since the positions of meridian points have changed with time and culture and according to the therapeutic target, objective, and instruments, the changes of the position of GV 14 from above the spinous process of the second cervical vertebra to between the spinous processes of the 6 th and 7 th cervical vertebrae and to between the spinous processes of the 7 th cervical and the 1 st thoracic vertebrae are not exceptional. (2) If the position of GV 14, which is a standard for the determination of meridian points on the back, changes, its clinical value is nullified. It should be, therefore, standardized as being between the spinous processes of the 6 th and 7 th cervical vertebrae. (3) The 6 th cervical vertebra is important in body surface clinical science, and the 7 th cervical vertebra is important in the mobility and anatomical segmentation of the spine. However, in consideration of the development processes of acupuncture, it is more reasonable to determine the position of GV 14 on the basis of clinical effects. (4) The proposed international standardization of the position of GV 14 as between the spinous processes of the 7 th cervical and 1 st thoracic vertebrae is acceptable, because there has been no objection from China or Korea.
No agreement was reached in this symposium, but the position of GV 14, which bears great clinical significance, must be evaluated further.