C. Riedinger 2011

Vertebra Levels

C4 Bifurcation of common carotid = upper border of thyroid cartilage

C5

C6 Beginning of oesophagus

Beginning of trachea

Vertebral artery enters foramina transversaria

C7 Vertebra prominens

Sterno-

clavicular

joints

Bifurcation of the RIGHT brachiocephalic trunk

Union of the internal jugular and subclavian vein to brachiocephalic vein

(on both sides)

T1

T2

T2/3

Superior border of scapula

Suprasternal notch

Level of 1st rib at the front (T1 at the back)

T3

T3/4

Medial end of spine of scapula

End of pre-vertebral fascia

Posterior end of oblique fissure of lung (to 6th

costal cart)

(transverse/horiz. fissure || to 4th

costal cartilage to 5th

rib mid-axillary)

(costodiaphragmatic recess 8th

-10th

rib mid-axillary line)

Top of aortic arch

T4

T4/5

Sternomanubrial joint

Start/end of aortic arch

Bifurcation of trachea at carina

Bifurcation of pulmonary trunk?

T5 Thoracic duct crosses from right to left

T6

T7 Inferior angle of scapula

T8 IVC and right phrenic nerve enter diaphragm, left phrenic separate

Hemiazygos vein crosses to left

T9 ant. Hiatus:

Superior epigastric artery and vein through diaphragm

T10 Site for epidural

Oesphagus, left gastric a, vagus pass through diaphragm

T11

T12 Aorta, hemi/azygos veins and thoracic duct pass behind diaphragm

Coeliac axis

Splanchnic nerves pierce crura

Sympathetic trunk passes into abdomen

L1

L1/2

End of spinal cord / conus medullaris

Transpyloric plane!

Superior mesenteric artery comes off aorta

Azygos vein forms from right subcostal and ascending lumbar veins

L2 Left crus of diaphragm inserts into body of L1+L2

Start of small intestine mesentery

L3

L3/4

Right crus of diaphram inserts into body of L1+L2+L3

Inferior mesenteric artery comes off aorta

Site for lumbar puncture

height of umbilicus

L4 Abdominal aorta bifurcates

Iliac crest and supracristal plane

L5

L6/S1

IVC formed from common iliac veins

Bifurcation of common iliac arteries (pelvic brim?)

S1

S2 End of dural sac of spinal cord, lumbar cistern

Axis of sacrum, midpoint of sacro-iliac joint

Lower attachment of small bowel mesentery

S3 Start of rectum