Translating "髀關", acupuncture point ST-31
The reasoning for translating "髀關" as "Thigh Joint" from Chinese into English. This is the original name of acupuncture point ST-31 (Stomach 31).
Explanation of the point name
This point is located at the top of the thigh bone, near the joint.
1st character
No other point names with this character.
2nd character
Meaning
This is a barrier gate, one that has a bar that hinges at one point at the side, blocks when the bar is horizontal, and opens with the bar moving diagonally to the side, until vertical.
When the point name is about a psychological function that is made more accessible or less, a translation with 'barrier gate' makes sense. When the name is about a bone resembling a bar, that has a joint at one side where the point is located near to, a translation with 'joint' makes more sense.
Point names with 關
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.
| ST-7 | 下關 | Underneath the Joint |
| ST-22 | 關門 | Barrier Gate |
| ST-31 | 髀關 | Thigh Joint |
| BL-26 | 關元兪 | Bar's Beginning Increase |
| BL-46 | 膈關 | Diaphragm Barrier |
| KI-18 | 石關 | Stone Barrier |
| P-6 | 內關 | Barrier Gate to the Inside |
| TB-1 | 關衝 | Through the Barrier Gate |
| TB-5 | 外關 | Barrier Gate to the Outside |
| GB-3 | 上關 | Above the Joint |
| GB-33 | 膝陽關 | Knee Yang Joint |
| LIV-7 | 膝關 | Knee Joint |
| REN-4 | 關原 | Primary Barrier Gate |
| DU-3 | 腰陽關 | Waist's Yang Bar |
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.
| ST-28 | 水道 | Fluid Passage |
| ST-29 | 歸來 | Arriving Home |
| ST-30 | 氣沖 | Qi Infusion |
| ST-31 | 髀關 | Thigh Joint |
| ST-32 | 伏兔 | Prostrating Hare |
| ST-33 | 陰市 | Yin at the Market |
| ST-34 | 梁丘 | Beam to the Mound |