Vertebral Levels and Anatomical Landmarks

Flashcards covering specific anatomical structures, vascular origins, organ hila, and body planes organized according to their corresponding vertebral levels.

Transpyloric plane (TPP)

Anatomical plane at vertebral level $L1$, located halfway between the jugular notch and the pubic symphysis.

Subcostal plane (SCP)

Anatomical transverse plane located at the $L3$ vertebral level.

Transtubercular plane (TTP)

Anatomical transverse plane passing through the iliac tubercles on the iliac crests, usually located at the $L5$ vertebral level.

Supracristal plane

Anatomical plane passing through the iliac crests at the $L4$ vertebral level.

Vertebral level C1 landmarks

Structures located at $C1$ include the open mouth and dens of axis, palatine tonsil, and isthmus of fauces.

Vertebral level C3 landmark

Structure located at $C3$ is the body of the hyoid bone.

Vertebral level C4 landmarks

Structures located at $C4$ include the upper border of thyroid cartilage and the bifurcation of common carotid arteries.

Vertebral level C6 landmarks

Structures located at $C6$ include the glottis, cricoid cartilage (arch), larynx-trachea border, pharynx-esophagus border, and the point where the vertebral artery enters the foramen transversarium of the $C6$ vertebra.

Vertebra prominens

Refers to the clearly palpable spinous process of the $C7$ vertebra.

Vertebral level Th1 landmarks

Structures located at $Th1$ include the stellate ganglion, apex of lung, and superior border of the scapula.

Vertebral level Th2-3 landmark

Structure located at $Th2\text{-}3$ is the jugular (suprasternal) notch.

Vertebral level Th4 landmarks

Structures located at $Th4$ include the bifurcation of trachea, beginning and end of the arch of aorta, and the entry of the azygos vein into the superior vena cava (at the level of the 2nd sternocostal joint).

Manubriosternal angle

Anatomical landmark located on rib II at vertebral level $Th4\text{-}5$.

Vertebral level Th5 landmark

Level where the thoracic duct crosses the midline.

Vertebral level Th5-6 landmark

Structure located at $Th5\text{-}6$ is the hilum of the lung.

Vertebral level Th8 landmarks

Structures located at $Th8$ include the foramen of inferior vena cava in the diaphragm (containing IVC and right phrenicoabdominal nerve) and the point where the hemiazygos vein crosses to the right to join the azygos vein.

Vertebral level Th10 landmark

Corresponds to the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm, transmitting the esophagus, vagus nerves, and left phrenicoabdominal nerve.

Vertebral level Th11 landmark

Structure located at $Th11$ is the cardia of the stomach.

Vertebral level Th12 landmarks

Structures located at $Th12$ include the aortic hiatus in the diaphragm (transmitting aorta and thoracic duct), origin of celiac trunk, splanchnic nerves piercing crura of diaphragm, and sympathetic trunk passing under the medial arcuate ligament.

Vertebral level L1 landmarks

Structures located at $L1$ (transpyloric plane) include the pylorus, superior part of duodenum, neck of pancreas, origin of superior mesenteric artery, origin of portal vein, attachment of transverse mesocolon, fundus of gallbladder, hilum of spleen, hilum of kidneys, and cisterna chyli.

Cisterna chyli and Organ Hila

Structures along the $L1$ level including the hilum of spleen (spleen projects to ribs 9-11), hilum of kidneys, and cisterna chyli.

Vertebral level L1-2 landmark

Level where the spinal cord ends in adults.

Vertebral level L2 landmarks

Structures located at $L2$ include the origin of renal arteries and the duodenojejunal flexure.

Vertebral level L3 landmarks

Structures located at $L3$ include the subcostal plane, inferior part of duodenum, and origin of inferior mesenteric artery.

Vertebral level L3-4 landmarks

Structures located at $L3\text{-}4$ include the umbilicus and the typical site for a lumbar puncture.

Vertebral level L4 landmarks

Structures located at $L4$ include the bifurcation of the aorta and the supracristal plane (iliac crests).

Vertebral level L5 landmark

Structure located at $L5$ is the formation of the inferior vena cava (IVC) from the common iliac veins.

Vertebral level S2 landmarks

Level where the dural sac and the spinal subarachnoid space (lumbar cistern) end.

Vertebral level S3 landmarks

Structures located at $S3$ include the midpoint of the sacroiliac joint and the beginning of the rectum (recto-sigmoid junction).

Sacral hiatus

Anatomical landmark located at $S4$, representing the end of the vertebral canal.

Lumbar puncture

Clinical procedure to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by inserting a needle into the lumbar cistern between the 3rd and 4th ($L3\text{-}4$) or 4th and 5th ($L4\text{-}5$) lumbar spinous processes.

Spleen surface projection

Posterior rib projections corresponding to the location of the spleen, spanning ribs 9 to 11.