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The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) acupoints follow a course of twenty-four meeting points: Huiyin (CV1) is hidden between the anterior and posterior orifices; Qugu (CV2) is located anterior to Huiyin; Zhongji (CV3) is superior to Guanyuan (CV4); Guanyuan (CV4) is superior to Shimen (CV5); Shimen (CV5) is superior to Qihai (CV6); Qihai (CV6) is superior to Yinjiao (CV7); Yinjiao (CV7) is superior to Shenque (CV8, referred to as Shenguan in the text); Shenque (CV8) is inferior to Shuifen (CV9); Shuifen (CV9) is superior to Xiawan (CV10); Xiawan (CV10) is superior to Jianli (CV11); Jianli (CV11) is superior to Zhongwan (CV12); Zhongwan (CV12) is superior to Shangwan (CV13); Shangwan (CV13) connects to Juque (CV14); Juque (CV14) connects to Jiutui (CV15); Jiutui (CV15) is followed by Zhongting (CV16); Zhongting (CV16) is followed by Danzhong (CV17); within the region of Danzhong (CV17) lies Yutang (CV18); superior to Yutang (CV18) is Zigong (CV19); superior to Zigong (CV19) operates Huagai (CV20); superior to Huagai (CV20) is Xuanji (CV21); superior to Xuanji (CV21) is Tiantu (CV22); inferior to Tiantu (CV22) is Lianquan (CV23); and Lianquan (CV23) terminates at Chengjiang (CV24).

Huiyin (CV1) [also known as Pingyi], located midway between the anterior and posterior orifices, is the origin point of the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel), Du Mai (Governing Vessel), and Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel). The Du Mai (Governing Vessel) travels from Huiyin along the back; the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) travels from Huiyin along the abdomen; the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) travels from Huiyin down to the foot. This point may be moxibusted with three Zhu (moxa cones).

Qugu (CV2) ascends from Huiyin, located in the depression above the Henggu area and at the pubic hairline, where the arterial pulse is palpable, five Cun below the umbilicus. This point may be moxibusted with three or seven Zhu.

Zhongji (CV3) [also known as Yuquan and Qiyuan] ascends from Qugu, located four Cun below the umbilicus. This point may be moxibusted with three Zhu; another school of thought suggests one hundred Zhu.

Guanyuan (CV4) [also known as Da Zhongji] ascends from Zhongji, located three Cun below the umbilicus. This point lies at the center of the upper, lower, left, and right aspects of the human body. This point may be moxibusted with seven Zhu.

Shimen (CV5) [also known as Mingmen, Jinglu, Dantian, and Liji] ascends from Guanyuan, located two Cun below the umbilicus. This point may be moxibusted with five Zhu.

Qihai (CV6) ascends from Shimen, located in the depression one and a half Cun below the umbilicus. This point may be moxibusted with five Zhu; it is contraindicated for pregnant women.

Yinjiao (CV7) [also known as Shao Guan and Heng Hu] ascends from Qihai, located one Cun below the umbilicus. This point may be moxibusted with five Zhu; another school of thought suggests one hundred Zhu.

Shenque (CV8) [also known as Qishe] ascends from Yinjiao, located directly in the center of the umbilicus. This point may be moxibusted with three Zhu.

Shuifen (CV9) ascends from Shenque, located one Cun above the umbilicus. This point may be moxibusted with five Zhu.

Xiawan (CV10) ascends from Shuifen, located two Cun above the umbilicus. This point may be moxibusted with five Zhu.

Jianli (CV11) ascends from Xiawan, located three Cun above the umbilicus. This point may be moxibusted with five Zhu.

Zhongwan (CV12) ascends from Jianli, located four Cun above the umbilicus. This point may be moxibusted with seven Zhu; another school of thought suggests fourteen to one hundred Zhu.

Shangwan (CV13) ascends from Zhongwan, located five Cun above the umbilicus. This point may be moxibusted with five Zhu.

Juque (CV14) ascends from Shangwan, located two Cun below the xiphoid process. This point may be moxibusted with seven Zhu.

Jiutui (CV15) [also known as Wei Yi] ascends one Cun from Juque. Moxibustion is prohibited at this point; another school of thought suggests three Zhu.

Zhongting (CV16) ascends from Jiutui, located in the depression one Cun above. This point may be moxibusted with five Zhu.

Danzhong (CV17) ascends from Zhongting, located one and a half Cun above, in the depression between the two nipples. This point may be moxibusted with seven Zhu.

Yutang (CV18) [also known as Yuying] ascends from Danzhong, located one and a half Cun above in the depression. This point may be moxibusted with five Zhu.

Zigong (CV19) ascends from Yutang, located one and a half Cun above in the depression; the patient should look up when locating this point. This point may be moxibusted with five Zhu.

Huagai (CV20) ascends from Zigong, located one and a half Cun above in the depression. This point may be moxibusted with five Zhu.

Xuanji (CV21) ascends from Huagai, located one Cun above in the depression; the patient should look up when locating this point. This point may be moxibusted with five Zhu.

Tiantu (CV22) [also known as Yuhu] ascends from Xuanji, located one Cun above, in the depression three Cun below the laryngeal prominence. This point may be moxibusted with three Zhu.

Lianquan (CV23) [also known as Benchi and Sheben] ascends from Tiantu, located below the chin, above the laryngeal prominence in the midline, below the root of the tongue; the patient should look up when locating this point. This point may be moxibusted with three Zhu.

Chengjiang (CV24) [also known as Tianchi and Xuanjiang] ascends from Lianquan, located in the depression anterior to the chin and below the ridge of the lower lip. This point may be moxibusted with seven Zhu.