Axial Chest Anatomy
• These are axial CT images starting
superior and working inferior
• This PowerPoint consists of two sets of
images– one labeled with questions, the
other not labeled so you can scroll thru
them.
• Best viewed as ‘slideshow’ for labeled
set
The following slide set is a collection of CT axial
(transverse) 5mm slices from the lower neck to the
upper abdomen. Soft tissue window settings were
selected to provide the best views of the mediastinal
anatomy. Every few slides, outlines with a legend have
been provided to label anatomical structures of interest.
Radiologists frequently page up and down on digital
images to “follow” structures from their origin to their
termination. Try this with the unlabeled slide set. Use the
labeled slides to help orient yourself while you page up
and down to try and identify various anatomical
structures. It will be best to view these slides in the
‘slideshow’ mode.
Can you find the right and left subclavian arteries? (click for answer)
The right subclavian artery as it
dumps into the brachiocephalic artery.
(click to highlight)
What are the 3 yellow air-filled (black) structures These are the
highlighted here? (click to highlight)
Right lung apex
Trachea and
Esophagus.
This is contrast (white) being injected
into the left subclavian vein.
Can you find the first 3 branches
off the aortic arch? (click for answer)
Brachiocephalic artery
Left Common Carotid artery
Left Subclavian artery
Incidental lipoma (‘fat tumor’) (notice it is the same
density as fat in the chest wall)
Can you find the left brachiocephalic vein as it dumps into the SVC?
(click for answer)
We are at the level of the top of the aortic arch (click to highlight)
Can you find the right pectoralis major and minor? (click for answer)
What is the structure in blue? (click to highlight)
This is the
Superior
Vena cava
Can you find the azygous arch ? (where the azygous
vein comes across to dump into the SVC) (click for answer)
Notice the bifurcation of
the trachea (carina) at this level (click to highlight)
What is the structure in red? (click to highlight)
This is the
left pulmonary
artery.
Can you find the pulmonary trunk and right pulmonary artery? (click for answer)
Where are the ascending (A) and descending (D) limbs of the
thoracic aorta? (click to highlight)
A
D
We are at the level of the top of the left atrium. Notice The pulmonary veins
dumping into it as they return from the lungs. (click to highlight)
Can you find the left main coronary artery coming off the aorta? (click for answer)
You can further see
The left coronary branch into the
Circumflex artery and the
LAD artery (click to highlight)
Here is a good image of the aortic semi-lunar valve leaflets. Can
you find them? (click for answer)
Here is a good image of the left atrium dumping
Into the left ventricle. Can you find it? (click to highlight)
You can clearly see the left ventricular wall and septum
with the projecting papillary wall muscles attaching
to the mitral valve leaflets. (click to highlight)
Contrast filling the right ventricle
Can you find the pericardial sac here? (click for answer)
It is relatively easy to
see because there is a
fat layer around the
heart
and around the
pericardium making the
soft tissue more visible
Unlabeled Axial Chest Set