ISO 16843-1:2025
(Main)Health informatics — Categorial structures for representation of acupuncture — Part 1: Acupuncture points
Health informatics — Categorial structures for representation of acupuncture — Part 1: Acupuncture points
This document specifies the categorial structure within the subject field of acupuncture by defining a set of domain constraints of sanctioned characteristics, each composed of a semantic link and an applicable characterizing category, in order to represent the concept of acupuncture point.
Informatique de santé — Structures catégoriques pour la représentation de l'acupuncture — Partie 1: Points d'acupuncture
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
International
Standard
ISO 16843-1
First edition
Health informatics — Categorial
2025-11
structures for representation of
acupuncture —
Part 1:
Acupuncture points
Informatique de santé — Structures catégoriques pour la
représentation de l'acupuncture —
Partie 1: Points d'acupuncture
Reference number
© ISO 2025
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ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
3.1 General .1
3.2 Characterizing categories .6
4 Categorial structure . 6
4.1 Overview .6
4.2 Semantic links .7
4.2.1 identifies .7
4.2.2 locates .7
4.2.3 is_located_at .8
4.3 Additional links .8
4.3.1 is_characterized_by .8
Bibliography . 9
iii
Foreword
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 215, Health informatics.
This first edition of ISO 16843-1 cancels and replaces ISO/TS 16843-1:2016, which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— the categories such as ‘Applicable Therapy,’ ‘Adverse Event’ and ‘efficacy’ have been removed and
simplified from the diagram (Figure 1) to be consistent with other documents in the ISO 16843 series.
A list of all parts in the ISO 16843 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
Introduction
Acupuncture therapy originated from scrubbing or pressing sensitive areas on the body surface. Wood
sticks or stones were primarily used as a stimulation tool, then, in the course of improvement, needling was
gradually developed. Today, those points or zones which we call acupuncture points are used not only in
acupuncture practices but also in other kinds of interventions such as acupressure, moxibustion, cupping or
classic massage. New acupuncture points, such as auricular points and oral acupuncture points, have also
been discovered in diverse acupuncture practices.
Although traditional medicine is still the subject of scientific criticism, many contemporary scientific papers
or reports on interventions using acupuncture points show considerable therapeutic effects.
[10,11]
Thus, in the last two decades, many clinical trials have been conducted to prove efficacy , and many
research projects on the mechanism of acupuncture have been undertaken using modern scientific
methodology. However, among various medical systems and across countries and regions, many synonyms
[3-5]
and polysemes exist, impeding meta-analysis, accurate information exchange, data processing and
knowledge acquisition related to the principles and practice of acupuncture.
[2-5]
To solve these problems, a definite concept system for representing acupuncture points with concept
[2]
harmonization is essential . The resultant categorial structure will support the development of reliable
terminological systems, information models, and mapping among terminological resources.
Notably, even in countries with high GDPs, only a small portion of the population can receive modern
medical services at will. Also, the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office reports that a high percentage of the
[23]
population uses traditional medicine in the nations within the region. These are the reasons why WHO
is trying to explore ways of collecting statistical data that depend on both modern medicine and traditional
medicine concepts.
As expected, the accuracy of statistics depends upon consistent and agreed-upon terms and definitions
[1-5]
harmonized with the backbone of a concept system.
For these two reasons, there is a strong need for a standard conceptual model regarding acupuncture points.
There are many different medical systems, such as modern medicine, traditional Chinese medicine,
Ayurveda, and Thai medicine, and their concept systems vary. If the concepts of each medical system are
represented in different conceptual models, it can be challenging to find the common elements among them.
This situation means mapping or semantic correspondence among terminological resources will be costly
and potentially error-prone. In turn, such a situation obstructs knowledge management and acquisition.
[5]
It has been estimated that between 0,5 and 45 million concepts need to be adequately described in
acupuncture. There is no intention to specify conceptual models for each as an international standard.
[1-5]
Instead, the concepts with similarities have been harmonized at a high level in this document.
This document defines, with a categorial structure, the minimum elements for common descriptiveness,
exchangeability, accountability, reproducibility, and verification necessary for representing acupuncture
points of various medical systems.
Any specific characteristics needed in one particular medical system should be specified in projects of other
technical committees and domestic or international organizations, along with their specific values or code
systems.
Traditional medicine often uses terms with unique meanings that are also used in mainstream medicine and
other scientific fields. To avoid confusion with concepts commonly used in mainstream medicine or general
scientific terminology, such as sinew, meridian, blood and fluid, the abbreviations for medical systems
(“TCM” for traditional Chinese medicine, “Ayur” for Ayurveda) are used in parentheses in this document.
For example, the terms ‘Meridian’, ‘Vessels’ and ‘digestive system’, which are often referred to in traditional
Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, are described as ‘Meridian (TCM)’, ‘Vessels (TCM)’, and ‘digestive system
(Ayur)’, to distinguish them from their common scientific and medical meanings.
v
International Standard ISO 16843-1:2025(en)
Health informatics — Categorial structures for representation
of acupuncture —
Part 1:
Acupuncture points
1 Scope
This document specifies the categorial structure within the subject field of acupuncture by defining a set
of domain constraints of sanctioned characteristics, each composed of a semantic link and an applicable
characterizing category, in order to represent the concept of acupuncture point.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1 General
3.1.1
stimulation
application of a stimulus to a targeted acupuncture point (3.1.3) with the intention of medical diagnosis or care
3.1.2
acupuncture
acupuncture therapy
remedial procedure of somatic stimulation (3.1.1) to acupuncture point (3.1.3)
EXAMPLE A round-pointed needle is used for massaging; a spoon needle is used for pressing.
Note 1 to entry: Pricking, scratching, scrubbing/massaging, or pressing on a particular area of the body surface with a
needle is also called acupuncture.
3.1.3
acupuncture point
small region or area of body located by either body features or uses, or both, where stimulus is applied with
intention to induce reactions for diagnosis or therapeutical purpose in acupuncture (3.1.2)
EXAMPLE 1 Location of the LI4 is a body region or area “on the dorsum of the hand, between the first and second
metacarpal bones, in the middle of the second metacarpal bone on the radial side” and is palpated with a detecting
technique (3.1.6) with the findings such as concavity, tenderness and so on.
EXAMPLE 2 In Nogier’s Auricular acupuncture treatment, location of the ovary and testicular points is “slightly
[15]
above the supratragic notch, on the inside of the ascending helix”.
EXAMPLE 3 Location of the Y-point of the large intestine is the anatomical zone “in the angle formed by the temple
[15]
hairline and the upper edge of the zygomatic arch”.
Note 1 to entry: The stimulation (3.1.1) that can be applied to acupuncture points depends on the characteristics of
each point.
3.1.3.1
named point
named acupuncture point
acupuncture point (3.1.3) that has a designation or designation of point (3.1.10)
3.1.3.2
anonymous point
anonymous acupuncture point
acupuncture point (3.1.3) that has no designation for it
3.1.4
anatomical landmark
anatomical landmark for acupuncture
reference location on the body surface used to identify an acupuncture point (3.1.3)
EXAMPLE 1 In auricular acupuncture treatment, anthelix and tragus are often used as anatomical landmark.
EXAMPLE 2 In oral acupuncture treatment, each tooth is used as anatomical landmark.
3.1.5
measuring system
measuring system for location of acupuncture point
traditional measuring method for somatometry in acupuncture (3.1.2)
EXAMPLE 1 In traditional Chinese medicine, proportional bone (skeletal) cun, finger cun, and finger breadth.
EXAMPLE 2 In Ayurveda, anguli, or anguli parimana.
3.1.6
detecting technique
acupuncture point detecting technique
the technique to find an acupuncture point (3.1.3) which is appropriate for applying stimulation (3.1.1)
EXAMPLE Inspection, palpation, and electric conductivity test.
3.1.7
stereotactic restriction
specification of a body position or posture, or both, to permit an appropriate approach (3.1.8) for keeping
away non-targeted material physical anatomical entities
3.1.8
approach
approach to acupuncture site
appropriate track of stimulation (3.1.1) to reach a stimulation site with stereotactic restriction (3.1.7)
Note 1 to entry: Approach is determined by stereotactic restriction (3.1.7), as well as by the direction and the lean of
the stimulating tool and by the depth of stimulation for reaching a stimulation site.
Note 2 to entry: Approach may be selected based on reference descriptions or the practitioner’s diagnosis.
3.1.9
anatomy of acupuncture point
anatomical structure of acupuncture point (3.1.3)
Note 1 to entry: Anatomy of acupuncture point includes both regional anatomy and layered anatomy.
3.1.10
designation of point
term or code, or both, that denotes acupuncture point (3.1.3) concept
EXAMPLE 1 The deepest point in the concave of a foot sole is designated by both terms such as “Yongquan” and
[6]
“Yusen” and the code “KI 1” in a terminological resource of the World Health Organization (WHO). On the other
[22]
hand, in marma therapy of Ayurveda, the same point/area is designated by the term Talahridaya (of foot).
EXAMPLE 2 In Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture, the point ventral to the mastoid apex immediately behind the
[15][24]
earlobe is designated by the code “G1”.
[22]
EXAMPLE 3 In Ayurveda, the centre of the palm of the hand is designated by the term Talahridaya (of hand).
EXAMPLE 4 In Nogier’s Auricular acupuncture treatment system, some of the points are named after corresponding
[15]
organ such as ACTH.
EXAMPLE 5 The point of GV26 has alternative locations; different locations are used in Japan and China.
Note 1 to entry: Some points only have either a term or a code.
Note 2 to entry: In clinical practices, anonymous areas called Ashi points are often used for acupuncture (3.1.2).
Note 3 to entry: To avoid confusion arising from polysemy, the class of designation of point includes medical system as
an attribute.
3.1.11
applicable therapy
applicable therapy for acupuncture points
therapy or type of interve
...
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