Chinese woodcut: Bone measurements - front of the body

Woodcut from Shangke buyao (Supplement to Traumatology) by Qian Xiuchang, published in 1818 (23rd year of the Jiaqing reign period of the Qing dynasty). The illustration shows bone measurements for the front of the body. These are relative measurements, based on the proportionate cun (Chinese/proportionate inch) unit, taking into account differences in stature and physique. 1 chi = 10 cun. For particulars, see 'Lettering'.

PICTURE TITLE: Bone measurement chart, front of the body. OTHER LETTERING: The cheekbones are 7 cun apart. In front of the ear is ermen (Ear Portal, tragus). The circumference of the skull is 2 chi 6 cun, its width is 1 chi 3 cun. From the hair to the mandible is 1 chi. From the Adam's apple to quepen (the Broken Basin) is 4 cun. From quepen to jiuwei (Turtledove Tail) is 9 cun. The circumference of the chest is 4 chi 5 cun. From jiuwei to tianshu (Celestial Pivot) is 8 cun, and from tianshu to the pubic bone is 6½ cun. The pubic bone is 6½ cun in length. Human beings differ in size and height. Proportionate body measurement takes account of this. In a tall person, the cun unit is longer, and in a short person, it is shorter. The same goes for older and younger people. From the pubic bone to the top of the tibia (neifu, Inner Support) is 1 chi 8 cun. From bishu (trochanteric region) down to the knee is 1 chi 9 cun. From the top to the bottom of the tibia is 3½ cun. The distance from the knee to neihuai (internal malleolus) is 1 chi 3 cun. From neihuai down to the ground is 3 cun. The foot is 1 chi 2 cun in length and 4 cun in width.