Articles

Articles are a collaborative effort to provide a single canonical page on all topics relevant to the practice of radiology. As such, articles are written and continuously improved upon by countless contributing members. Our dedicated editors oversee each edit for accuracy and style. Find out more about articles.

255 results found
Article

Bovine arch

Bovine arch is the most common variant of the aortic arch and occurs when the brachiocephalic (innominate) artery shares a common origin with the left common carotid artery.  Epidemiology A bovine arch is present in ~15% (range 8-27%) of the population and is more common in individuals of Afri...
Article

Aortopulmonary window (radiograph)

The aortopulmonary (aortic-pulmonary or AP) window (also known as APW, but see 'Terminology' below) is a radiological mediastinal space seen on frontal chest radiographs. Terminology The term should also not be confused with an aortopulmonary septal defect, which is occasionally also - unfortu...
Article

Retro-aortic left brachiocephalic vein

The retro-aortic left brachiocephalic vein is a rare vascular variant where the left brachiocephalic vein passes more inferiorly through the superior mediastinum, coursing inferior to the aortic arch and posterior to the ascending aorta to join the right brachiocepahilc vein forming the superior...
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Viscera

The viscera (singular: viscus) refers to all the internal organs within the major cavities of the thorax, abdomen and pelvis. Therefore it does not include organs of the CNS, head and neck or musculoskeletal compartments nor does it encompass non-internal organs (e.g. the skin) 1. Splanchnology...
Article

Labeled imaging anatomy cases

This article lists a series of labeled imaging anatomy cases by body region and modality. Brain CT head: non-contrast axial CT head: non-contrast coronal CT head: non-contrast sagittal CT head: non-contrast axial with clinical questions CT head: angiogram axial CT head: angiogram coronal ...
Article

Vertebral arteria lusoria

Vertebral arteria lusoria is an extremely rare anatomical variant of the aortic arch, whereby the right vertebral artery arises from the aorta distal to the left subclavian artery 1. The aberrant right vertebral artery has a retro-esophageal and retrotracheal course before entering a cervical tr...
Article

Situs inversus

Situs inversus, (rare plural: sitūs inversi) short form of the Latin “situs inversus viscerum”, is a term used to describe the inverted position of chest and abdominal organs. Terminology The condition is called situs inversus totalis when there is a total transposition of abdominal and thorac...
Article

Interlobular septa

The interlobular septa (singular: interlobular septum) are located between the secondary pulmonary lobules and are continuous with both the subpleural interstitium (peripheral connective tissue) and the peribronchovascular interstitium (axial connective tissue) as well as the more delicate intra...
Article

Intralobular septa

The intralobular septa (sing: septum) are delicate strands of connective tissue separating adjacent pulmonary acini and primary pulmonary lobules. They are continuous with the interlobular septa which surround and define the secondary pulmonary lobules.  See also HRCT terminology
Article

Left horizontal fissure

The left horizontal (or minor) fissure is an accessory fissure found in 1.6-8% of individuals 1,3,4. Gross anatomy The left horizontal fissure separates the lingula from the rest of the left upper lobe (anterior-apicoposterior segments). The segmental anatomy of the left lung is preserved, des...
Article

Inferior accessory fissure of the lung

The inferior accessory fissure of the lung, also known as Twining's line, divides the medial basal bronchopulmonary segment from the rest of the lower lobe 4. Epidemiology This accessory fissure is present in around 12% of people when examined with CT 3and is visible on 8% of PA chest x-rays 4...
Article

Superior accessory fissure

The superior accessory fissure is present in around 5% of individuals examined with CT 4 and PA chest X-rays 5. Gross anatomy The superior accessory fissure of the right lower lobe is located in the same plane and posterior to the right transverse (minor) fissure. It separates the right lower ...
Article

Pleura

The pleura (plural: pleurae) is an exceedingly delicate serous membrane which is arranged in the form of a closed invaginated sac that encloses the lungs and lines the thoracic cavity. Gross anatomy The pleura divides into: visceral pleura which covers the surface of the lung and dips into th...
Article

Superior mediastinum

The superior mediastinum is an artificially divided wedge-shaped compartment of the mediastinum located between the thoracic plane inferiorly and the thoracic inlet superiorly. The inferior mediastinum, comprising of the anterior, middle, and posterior parts, lies inferiorly. Gross anatomy Bou...
Article

Bronchus intermedius

The bronchus intermedius is one of the two bronchi which the right main bronchus bifurcates into, the other being the right upper lobe bronchus. Gross anatomy The bronchus intermedius runs distal to the right upper lobe bifurcation and follows the trajectory of the right main bronchus 1. Its m...
Article

Right main bronchus

The trachea bifurcates into the right and left main bronchi at the level of the carina, supplying air to the right and left lungs respectively. Each main or primary bronchus enters the hilum of its lung and gives rise to secondary lobar bronchi, which further divide into tertiary segmental bronc...
Article

Left main bronchus

The trachea bifurcates into the right and left main bronchi at the level of the carina, supplying air to the right and left lungs respectively. Each main or primary bronchus enters the hilum of its lung and gives rise to secondary lobar bronchi, which further divide into tertiary segmental bronc...
Article

Trachea

The trachea, known colloquially as the windpipe, connects the upper respiratory tract to the lungs via the tracheobronchial tree, enabling gas exchange. Gross anatomy The trachea is a tube-shaped structure consisting of 15-20 D-shaped cartilage rings anterolaterally bridged by annular ligament...
Article

Bronchopulmonary segmental anatomy

Bronchopulmonary segmental anatomy describes the division of the lungs into segments based on the tertiary or segmental bronchi. Gross anatomy The trachea divides at the carina forming the left and right main stem bronchi which enter the lung substance to divide further. This initial division ...
Article

Pulmonary veins

The pulmonary veins drain oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium. A small amount of blood is also drained from the lungs by the bronchial veins. Gross anatomy There are typically four pulmonary veins, two draining each lung: right superior: drains the right upper and middle lobes ...

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