[A new attempt of re-mapping acupoint atlas in the rat].

Objective: To try to re-map an acupoint atlas in vector mode in the experimental rat by using a new-generation drawing tool.
Methods: A total of 5 SD rats were used in the present study. In reference to the current acupoint locations and anatomical structure of rats as well as those of the human body, an acupoint atlas having a stereoscopic mode was re-mapped by using Adobe photoshop/illustrator CS6 imaging processing and drawing system.
Results: According to the skeletal structure and body surface landmarks, an acupoint atlas consisting of Shuigou (GV26), Baihui (GV20), Tianmen (i.e. Cuanzhu, BL2), Erjian (MA-H6), Dazhui (GV14), Feishu (BL13), Xinshu (BL15), Geshu (BL17), Jizhong (GV6), Pishu (BL20), Shenshu (BL23), Houhui (SI3), Huantiao (GB30), Houhai, Yanglingquan (GB34), Housanli (ST36), Zhaohai (KI6), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Genduan point, Shenmai (BL62), Taichong (LR3), Zhijian (foot), Yongquan (KI1), Guanyuan (CV4), Xiqian, Weijian, Shenque (CV8), Zhongwan (CV12), Qiansanli (LI10), Waiguan (SJ5), Neiguan (PC6), Quchi (CV6), Zhoujie (EX-UE1), Hegu (LI4), Zhijian (hand), Houxi (SI3), Shenmen (HT7), Taiyuan (LU9), Shaohai (HT3), Chize (LU5), Danzhong (CV17), and Chengjiang (CV24) which have been positioned in plane graph mode by Professor HUA Xing-bang and colleagues in 1991. The newly re-mapped acupoint atlas displayed more clearly in the anatomic locations relevant to the traditional one.
Conclusion: A new acupoint atlas with 3 dimension image mode is accomplished in the rat, being more convenient and applicable for researchers to edit the relevant graph materials in paper writing, and playing a possibly useful guidance for the standardization of acupoint selection in experimental acupuncture researches.