VERTEBRAL LEVELLANDMARKS & STRUCTURES
C1Spinal root of accessory nerve crosses transverse process of atlas
C2Superior cervical ganglion
C3Body of hyoid Bone
C4Superior border of thyroid cartilage Bifurcation of common carotid arteries
C6Cricoid cartilage Larynx ends and trachea begins Pharynx ends and oesophagus begins Inferior thyroid artery crosses carotid sheath Inferior laryngeal nerve enters larynx Vertebral artery enters transverse foramen of C6 Middle cervical ganglion
C7Vertebra prominens Stellate ganglion Isthmus of thyroid gland
T1Sternoclavicular joint Highest point of lung apex
T2Superior border of scapula
T2/3Suprasternal notch
T3Medial end of spine of scapula End of oblique fissure of lung posteriorly
T3/4Top of arch of aorta
T3-T4Manubrium sterni
T4/5Sternal angle (of Louis) Bifurcation of trachea Arch of aorta begins and ends Azygous vein enters superior vena cava
T5-8Body of sternum
T6Upper border of liver
T7Inferior angle of the scapula
T8Caval opening in the diaphragm Phrenic nerves traverse diaphragm
T8/9Xiphisternal junction
T9Xiphoid Superior epigastric vessels traverse diaphragm
T9-L3Costal margin
T10Oesphageal opening in the diaphragm
T12Aortic opening in diaphragm Origin of the coeliac axis (lower border)
L1Transpyloric plane of Addison Fundus of the gallbladder Hila of the kidneys First part of the duodenum Neck of the pancreas Origin of the superior mesenteric artery Origin of the portal vein Pylorus of the stomach Hilum of the spleen Cisterna chyli
L1/2Spinal cord ends in adults Origin of renal arteries
L2Subcostal plane Thoracic duct begins Azygous and hemiazygous veins begin Duodenojejunal flexure Ligament of Treitz (upper border)
L3Origin of inferior mesenteric artery Spinal cord ends in infants
L3/4Umbilicus
L4Transtubercular plane Bifurcation of the aorta
L5Formation of the inferior vena cava
S2Sacral dimples Midpoint of sacro-iliac joints Posterior superior iliac spines Dural sac ends
S3Pelvic colon ends and rectum begins Posterior inferior iliac spines
S4Sacral hiatus Vertebral column ends