vertebral levels

Hard palate

C1

Hyoid bone

C3-C4

Thyroid cartilage

C4-C5

Larynx

C5-C6

Brachial plexus

C5-T2

Cricoid cartilage

C6

Apex of the lung

T1

Superior vena cava

T1-T4

Suprasternal notch (jugular notch)

T2-T3

Manubrium

T2-T4

Thymus

T2-T6

Breast borders

T2-T7

Aortic arch

T3-T4, 2.5 cm below jugular notch

Sternal angle and carina (mainstem bronchus) and hila of lungs

T4-T5

Apex of heart

T5 (T5 intercostal space, left midclavicular line)

Esophagus deviates to the left

T7

IVC enters diaphragm

T10

xiphoid process

T9-T10

Esophagus penetrates diaphragm

T10

Adrenal glands

T10-T11

Pyloric orifice of stomach commonly extends from here

T11-L1

Cysterna Chyli and thoracic duct starts here

T12-L2

Lumbar plexus

T12-L4

Kidneys

T11/12-L3/4

Transpyloric plane and spinal cord ends

L1-L2

Hila of kidneys

L2

Transumbilicus plane and umbilicus

L3-L4

Interiliac plane, and anterior iliac crest and lower border of kidneys

L4

IVC becomes posterior to aorta and bifurcation of periaortic nodes and aortic bifurcation and bifurcation of common iliac nodes

L4-L5

IVC starts here where union of common iliac veins are

L5

Common iliac arteries divide into internal and external iliac nodes divide

L5-S1

Sigmoid colon crosses midline and rectum extends to pelvic diaphragm

S3

Aortic bifurcation

L4-L5

Carotid bifurcation

Upper border of thyroid cartilage

Celiac trunk

4 cm above transpyloric plane

Circle or wilis

Suprasellar cistern

Common iliac vein bifurcation

Upper margin of sacroiliac joint

Conus medullaris

T12-L1, L2

Heart base

Level of second and third costal cartilage is behind sternum

Inferior mesenteric artery

4 cl above bifurcation of abdominal aorta

Portal vein

Posterior to pancreatic neck

Renal arteries

Anterior to L1, inferior to superior mesenteric artery

Superior mesenteric artery

2cm above transpyloric plane

Thyroid gland

Thyroid cartilage

Vocal cords

Midway between superior and inferior border of thyroid cartilage