Cross-Sectional Anatomy Flashcards

On axial CT of the neck, the hypopharynx is best visualized at which vertebral level?

Answer: C4-C6

The hypopharynx extends from the level of the hyoid bone (C3) to the cricopharyngeus muscle (C6), and is best visualized on CT at C4-C6.

On axial CT of the orbit, which extraocular muscle is located at the medial wall of the orbit?

Answer: Medial rectus

The medial rectus muscle runs along the medial orbital wall and is the most commonly enlarged muscle in thyroid eye disease.

On axial CT of the upper abdomen, Gerota's fascia encloses which structures?

Answer: Kidney and adrenal gland within the perirenal space

Gerota's fascia (renal fascia) surrounds both the kidney and the ipsilateral adrenal gland within the perirenal fat space.

Which structure separates the anterior and middle cranial fossae on axial CT?

Answer: Lesser wing of the sphenoid bone

The lesser wing of the sphenoid bone forms the posterior boundary of the anterior cranial fossa, separating it from the middle cranial fossa.

On axial CT at the level of the pelvis, the external iliac artery is located relative to the external iliac vein in which position?

Answer: Anterior and medial to the vein

The external iliac artery lies anteromedial to the external iliac vein along the pelvic brim.

On axial brain CT, the sylvian fissure (lateral sulcus) separates which lobes?

Answer: Frontal and parietal lobes from the temporal lobe

The sylvian (lateral) fissure separates the frontal and parietal lobes superiorly from the temporal lobe inferiorly.

On axial CT of the chest at the level of the aortic root, the right ventricle is identified by its characteristic location:

Answer: Anterior and rightward, forming the anterior cardiac border

The right ventricle is the most anterior cardiac chamber and forms the anterior cardiac border on axial CT at the level of the aortic root.