Foot reflexology · zone
Apex of tragus — Right ear
Placement
Location: At the tip of the upper protuberance of the tragus, on its free upper margin.
Longitudinal zone(s): of 5
Side: right ear
Tradition: WHO auricular nomenclature
Traditional use
One of the classic Chinese tragal points retained in the standard nomenclature.
Reflexology is a traditional practice, not an evidence-based medical treatment. Systematic reviews have not shown it to be effective for any medical condition. These maps document what practitioners traditionally use — they are not claims about how the body works.
Care and caution
The skin here lies directly on auricular cartilage and is usually tender; never work an ear with broken, inflamed or infected skin, since perichondritis of the auricle is a recognised complication of ear needling and piercing.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the apex of tragus reflex area on the ear?
At the tip of the upper protuberance of the tragus, on its free upper margin.
Which tradition does this placement come from?
WHO auricular nomenclature. The major schools broadly agree on this placement.
Does pressing this area treat the organ it is named after?
No. Reflexology maps are traditional diagrams, not descriptions of anatomy or physiology. Systematic reviews have not found reflexology to be an effective treatment for any medical condition.
Is there anything to be careful about?
The skin here lies directly on auricular cartilage and is usually tender; never work an ear with broken, inflamed or infected skin, since perichondritis of the auricle is a recognised complication of ear needling and piercing.
Sources
References displayed on this page were recorded with the point dataset.
- World Health Organization, Report of the Working Group on Auricular Acupuncture Nomenclature (Lyon, 1990) Standard anatomical nomenclature of the auricle and the standard auricular point list agreed by the WHO working group
- GB/T 13734, Nomenclature and Location of Auricular Points (Chinese national standard) Auricular point names and anatomical locations, by auricular subregion