BL18 is located 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of which vertebra?

• A. T9
• B. T8
• C. T10
• D. T11

Answer: (A)

Back-Shu points sit on the bladder channel, located 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of a specific thoracic vertebra, with each vertebral level corresponding to a particular zangfu organ. BL18 is the Liver Shu point, so its location follows this rule at the level of the ninth thoracic vertebra. Therefore, BL18 is found 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of T9. This mapping is what determines the correct vertebral level, rather than levels above or below.