Translating "曲池", acupuncture point LI-11
The reasoning for translating "曲池" as "Pond at the Bend" from Chinese into English. This is the original name of acupuncture point LI-11 (Large Intestine 11).
Explanation of the point name
The depression where this point is located is a bit like a pond, with the skin being like the water surface. It as at the bend of the elbow, and the point is best located when the elbow is bent.
There are three points that are located near the middle joint of a limb, and have 曲 'bend' in their name, with a water. Those are LI-11 曲池 'Pond at the Bend' and P-3 曲澤 'Marsh at the Bend' near the elbow, and LIV-8 曲泉 'Spring at the Bend' near the knee.
1st character
Meaning
When 曲 is used to describe anatomical structures, the words 'bent' or 'curve' rather than 'crooked' have my preference. 'Crooked' would suggest that something is not quite right about it, so I only use that when 曲 describes something abnormal.
Point names with 曲
For consistency in the translations, it is necessary to be aware of how the character is translated elsewhere. These are the point names it is in.
| LI-11 | 曲池 | Pond at the Bend |
| SI-13 | 曲垣 | Fence at the Curve |
| BL-4 | 曲差 | Uneven Curve |
| KI-17 | 商曲 | Crooked Exchanges |
| P-3 | 曲澤 | Marsh at the Bend |
| GB-7 | 曲鬢 | Curve of the Hair on the Temples |
| LIV-8 | 曲泉 | Spring at the Bend |
| REN-2 | 曲骨 | Curved Bone |
2nd character
Point names with 池
For consistency in the translations, it is necessary to be aware of how the character is translated elsewhere. These are the point names it is in.
| LI-11 | 曲池 | Pond at the Bend |
| P-1 | 天池 | Heavenly Pond |
| TB-4 | 陽池 | Yang Pond |
| GB-20 | 風池 | Windy Pond |
Nearby points
Sometimes the names of consecutive points on a meridian are related. Being aware of nearby points can help to translate consistently in such a situation.
| LI-8 | 下廉 | Lower One at the Angle |
| LI-9 | 上廉 | Upper One at the Angle |
| LI-10 | 手三里 | Hand's Three Quarter Miles |
| LI-11 | 曲池 | Pond at the Bend |
| LI-12 | 肘髎 | Elbow Bone Notch |
| LI-13 | 手五里 | Hand's Five Quarter Miles |
| LI-14 | 臂臑 | Upper Arm |