Definitions
biceps (in Chinese medicine); (arch.) forelimbs of livestock animal
Etymology
About
The character 臑 is a phono-semantic compound. Its left-side radical 月 (ròu), meaning flesh, indicates an anatomical term, while the right-side component 需 (xū) provides the phonetic element. In classical texts, it specifically denoted the forelimbs, shoulders, or upper arms of humans or animals, often in contexts of sacrifice or anatomy. Later, its usage became specialized within medical literature, referring exclusively to acupuncture points on the upper limbs and retaining a precise, physiological meaning.
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