This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages without signing in

Relations

Authoring team

The thoracic inlet is traversed by:

  • in the median plane, from anterior to posterior:
    • sternohyoid anterior to sternothyroid muscles
    • thymic remnants
    • inferior thyroid veins
    • trachea
    • tracheo-oesophageal sulcus containing the recurrent laryngeal nerves
    • oesophagus
    • thoracic duct displaced to the left
    • longus colli muscles
    • anterior longitudinal ligament
  • laterally:
    • on both sides:
      • cervical pleura overlying apex of lung
      • internal thoracic artery anteriorly
      • posteriorly, from medial to lateral:
        • sympathetic trunk
        • superior intercostal artery
        • ventral ramus of first thoracic nerve
  • on the left:
    • left common carotid artery
    • left subclavian artery
    • left vagus nerve between common carotid and subclavian
    • left brachiocephalic vein
    • left phrenic nerve
  • on the right:
    • brachiocephalic trunk
    • right vagus nerve, lateral to brachiocephalic trunk
    • right brachiocephalic vein
    • right phrenic nerve, lateral to brachiocephalic vein

Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.