Azygo-esophageal recess
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Knipe H, Yap J, Bell D, et al. Azygo-esophageal recess. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 29 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-23645
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rID:
23645
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Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Henry Knipe had no recorded disclosures.
View Henry Knipe's current disclosures
Last revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Henry Knipe had the following disclosures:
- Micro-X Ltd, Shareholder (past)
These were assessed during peer review and were determined to not be relevant to the changes that were made.
View Henry Knipe's current disclosures
Revisions:
9 times, by
6 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
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Synonyms:
- Azygooesophageal recess
- Azygo-esophageal recess
- Azygoesophageal recess
- Azygoesophageal line
- Azygo-esophageal line
- Azygo-esophageal interface
- Azygo-oesophageal line
- Azygo-oesophageal interface
- Azygoesophageal interface
- Azygooesophageal line
- Azygooesophageal interface
The azygo-esophageal recess (AER), also known as the azygo-esophageal line or interface, is a prevertebral space formed by the interface of the posteromedial segments of the right lower lobe and the azygos vein and esophagus 1-3. The azygo-esophageal recess extends from the azygos arch to the aortic hiatus and has the following borders 1,2,4:
anteromedially: esophagus, azygos vein, left atrium
posteriorly: pleura anterior to the vertebral column
inferiorly: right hemidiaphragm
superiorly: azygos arch although continuous with the subcarinal space
Radiographic features
Plain radiograph
The azygo-esophageal recess appears as a vertical line or stripe running from the azygos arch to the level of the right hemidiaphram, but can normally deviate 1-3:
upper third: a rightward convexity may be normal in children and young adults
middle third: may be slightly leftward convex relative to the right lung near the hilum
lower third: usually straight
Related pathology
Azygo-esophageal recess deviation can be due to disease (e.g. malignancy, lymphadenopathy) in the middle or posterior mediastinum 4.
References
- 1. Gibbs J, Chandrasekhar C, Ferguson E, Oldham S. Lines and Stripes: Where Did They Go?--From Conventional Radiography to CT. Radiographics. 2007;27(1):33-48. doi:10.1148/rg.271065073 - Pubmed
- 2. Marano R, Liguori C, Savino G, Merlino B, Natale L, Bonomo L. Cardiac Silhouette Findings and Mediastinal Lines and Stripes: Radiograph and CT Scan Correlation. Chest. 2011;139(5):1186-96. doi:10.1378/chest.10-0660 - Pubmed
- 3. Whitten C, Khan S, Munneke G, Grubnic S. A Diagnostic Approach to Mediastinal Abnormalities. Radiographics. 2007;27(3):657-71. doi:10.1148/rg.273065136 - Pubmed
- 4. Bankier A, MacMahon H, Colby T et al. Fleischner Society: Glossary of Terms for Thoracic Imaging. Radiology. 2024;310(2):e232558. doi:10.1148/radiol.232558 - Pubmed
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