Vertebral levels (anatomical landmarks)

Last revised by Wasim Awal on 14 Oct 2023

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Edney G, Awal W, Plant L, et al. Vertebral levels (anatomical landmarks). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 25 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-57629

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-57629

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/57629

rID:

57629

Article created:

4 Jan 2018, Gabrielle Edney

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Gabrielle Edney had no recorded disclosures.

View Gabrielle Edney's current disclosures

Last revised:

14 Oct 2023, Wasim Awal

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Wasim Awal had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.

View Wasim Awal's current disclosures

Revisions:

6 times, by 5 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Spine

Sections:

Anatomy

Many vertebral levels are associated with key anatomical landmarks. Below is a summary of vertebral levels and associated internal or surface anatomy. Please note that some texts differ slightly on certain levels and levels may be altered by patient positioning (supine versus erect) and patient body habitus.

Vertebral Level

C3
- hyoid bone
C4
- bifurcation of common carotid artery
- thyroid cartilage
C6
- cricoid cartilage
- trachea begins (end of larynx)
- esophagus begins (end of pharynx)
T2
- superior angle of scapula
- sternoclavicular joint
- suprasternal notch
T4
- also known as thoracic plane or plane of Ludwig (see mnemonic)
  - sternal angle of Louis
  - arch of aorta
  - bifurcation of trachea (carina)
  - division between superior and inferior mediastinum
  - azygos vein drains into SVC
T8
- inferior vena cava hiatus of the diaphragm
T9
- xiphisternal joint
T10
- esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm
T12
- aortic hiatus of the diaphragm
L1
- also known as transpyloric plane (see article)
  - ninth costal cartilage
  - fundus of the gallbladder
  - pylorus of stomach
  - conus medullaris
  - neck of pancreas
  - superior mesenteric artery origin
  - hilum of kidneys
    - left: above
    - right: below
  - splenic vein traverses behind pancreas
  - duodenojejunal flexure
  - cisterna chyli
L2
- renal veins
- thoracic duct begins
- azygos and hemiazygos veins begin
L3
- umbilicus
- inferior mesenteric artery origin
L4
- iliac crest
- bifurcation of abdominal aorta
L5
- inferior vena cava formed (convergence of right and left common iliac veins)
S1
- sacral promontory
S2
- posterior superior iliac spine
- dural sac terminates