Which point is at the origin of the deltoid muscle, in the depression posterior and inferior to the lateral extremity of the acromion?

• A. SJ 15
• B. SJ 14
• C. SJ 16
• D. SJ 13

Answer: (B)

Understanding where the deltoid originates on the shoulder helps locate the correct acupuncture point. The deltoid begins from the outer edge of the acromion (and nearby areas on the scapula) and its origin is most prominently felt in the depression just behind and below the lateral tip of the acromion. That exact spot corresponds to a San Jiao point named Jianliao. It’s the shoulder point on the San Jiao channel and is commonly used for shoulder issues, reflecting its anatomical location right at the deltoid’s origin. Other shoulder points are in different nearby locations and don’t sit in that posterior-inferior depression behind the acromion, so they don’t match this description.