Acupuncture Point Tianding (LI17)
Location:
Sit upright, raise one's head inclinedly and slightly. At first, locat FutuLI18 (Futu (LI18)) (3 cun lateral to laryngeal praluberance, between sternal caput and clavicular caput of m. sternocleidomastoideus). Then 1 cun vertically below FutuLI18 (LI18), at the posterior border of the m. sternocleidomastoideus.

Function:
Removing intense heat from the throat, dispersing the accumulation of lumps, and regulating qi and dissipating phlegm.

Regional Anatomy:
Skin-subcutaneous tissue-posterior border of sternocleidomastoid muscle-interspace of scalene muscle.  In the superficial layer, there are the transverse nerve of the neck, the external jugular vein and the plarysma muscle. In the deep layer, there are the branches or tributaries of the ascending cervical artery and vein and the brachial plexus in the interspace of the scalene muscle.

Indications:
Sudden loss of voice, sore throat, scrofula, goiter.

Prescription:
combined with HeguLI4 (Hegu (LI 4) Yuan-Source Point) for treatment of tonsillitis; with JianshiPC5 (Jianshi (PC5) Jing-River Point) for treatment of laryngitis.

Methods:
Insert the needle perpendicularly 0.3-0.4 cun deep; needling response: local sensation of distension and soreness, irradiating toward the pharynx; moxibustion: using 3-5 moxa-cones, mild moxibustion for 15 min.
Note:
Don't puncture obliquely toward the anteromedial aspect, or else the needle would injure the carotid vagina vasorum by which the common carotid artery, the internal jugular vine and the vagus nerve aer wrapped.