Articles

Articles are a collaborative effort to provide a single canonical page on all topics relevant to the practice of radiology. As such, articles are written and continuously improved upon by countless contributing members. Our dedicated editors oversee each edit for accuracy and style. Find out more about articles.

3,362 results found
Article

Papez circuit

The Papez circuit is a fundamental component of the limbic system. It is closed neural circuitry that starts and ends in the hippocampus. It is also known as the medial limbic circuit. Gross anatomy The Papez circuit involves different structures of the brain including 2: hippocampus and adja...
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Hypertrophied column of Bertin

Columns of Bertin represent the extension of renal cortical tissue which separates the pyramids, and as such are normal structures. They become of radiographic importance when they are unusually enlarged and may be mistaken for a renal mass (renal pseudotumor). Nomenclature of such enlarged col...
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Bill bar

Bill bar (TA: crista verticalis) also known as the vertical crest, is a bony anatomical landmark that divides the superior compartment of the internal acoustic meatus into an anterior and posterior compartment. Anterior to Bill bar, in the anterior superior quadrant, are the facial nerve (CN VII...
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Common carotid artery

The common carotid arteries (CCA) are paired branchless arteries of the neck that supply blood to the head, face and neck. Each common carotid bifurcates into internal and external carotid arteries. Summary origin: left: branch of the aortic arch right: branch of the brachiocephalic trunk c...
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Ligamentum nuchae

The ligamentum nuchae or nuchal ligament is a large median ligament composed of tendons and fascia located between the posterior muscles of the neck. Gross anatomy The ligament nuchae covers the spines of C1 to C6 vertebrae. It is a superior and posterior extension of the supraspinous ligament...
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Cervical thymus

The cervical thymus (plural: cervical thymi) refers to an ectopic location of the thymus in the neck above the level of the brachiocephalic veins. Clinical presentation A cervical thymus usually presents before adolescence as a painless unilateral midline or lateral neck mass. Pathology Etio...
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Dorello canal

Dorello canal channels the abducens nerve (CN VI) from the pontine cistern to the cavernous sinus.  Gross anatomy Dorello canal is an interdural space (between the two layers of dura) found at the medial most end of the petrous ridge at the confluence of the inferior petrosal, basal, and caver...
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Frontal intersinus septal cells

Frontal intersinus septal cells, also known as interfrontal sinus septal cells, are a subtype of medial frontal recess cells. Gross anatomy The frontal intersinus septal cells lie within the intersinus septum between the frontal sinuses. They usually drain in the medial aspect of the frontal r...
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Kugel's artery

An uncommon variant of coronary arterial anatomy, Kugel's artery was originally described as an anastomotic communication between branches of the proximal left circumflex artery with the distal right coronary artery. These coronary trunks often communicate indirectly through atrial anastomotic n...
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Common hepatic duct

The common hepatic duct (CHD) is formed by the right and left hepatic ducts junction. It joins the cystic duct to form the common bile duct (CBD). It is approximately 4 cm long and 4 mm in diameter, typically.  Together with the cystic duct (laterally) and cystic artery (superiorly), they form ...
Article

Critical zone in rotator cuff tendons

The critical zone of the rotator cuff is an area approximately 8-15 mm from the insertion of the rotator cuff tendons onto the greater tubercle of the humeral head, mainly within the supraspinatus tendon. This is a watershed zone between the anterior and posterior circumflex humeral, thoracoacro...
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Myocardium

The myocardium defines the middle layer of the cardiac wall between the endocardium and the pericardium and forms the muscular part of the heart. Gross anatomy The myocardium represents the middle layer of the cardiac wall. It is located between the endocardium and the epicardial layer of the ...
Article

Broca's area

Broca's area (Brodmann areas 44 and 45) is an area of the lateral frontal lobe in the dominant hemisphere concerned with the production of speech. Gross anatomy Broca's area is located in the posterior inferior frontal gyrus (pars opercularis (Brodmann area 44) and pars triangularis (Brodmann ...
Article

Habenula

The habenula is part of the epithalamus and receives input from the brain via the stria medullaris. It outputs to many midbrain areas involved in releasing neuromodulators, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. The habenula was traditionally divided into lateral (limbic) and medial (...
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Vasa vasorum

The vasa vasorum represents the supporting microvasculature of the larger caliber arteries and veins of the body. Gross anatomy The vasa vasorum has two subtypes in humans 2,3: arterial vasa vasorum: arises from various arteries based on anatomical location (e.g. intercostal arteries for desc...
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Popliteofibular ligament

The popliteofibular ligament (PFL) belongs to the lateral supporting structures of the knee and is one of the three primary stabilizers of the posterolateral corner 1-6. Gross anatomy It is a flattened, thick, and fan-shaped structure of the width of the popliteus muscle and two divisions 1. I...
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Valveless vein

The valveless veins are veins that lack venous valves. Most veins contain valves (known as the valvula venosa in the TA) to prevent backflow, i.e. ensuring that blood flow is always towards the heart 1. It has been shown that veins that were previously thought to be valveless actually do have v...
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Ectopic posterior pituitary

An ectopic posterior pituitary reflects a disruption of normal embryogenesis of the posterior pituitary and is one of the more common causes of pituitary dwarfism. Although it can be an isolated abnormality, numerous other congenital central nervous system malformations have been identified. Whe...
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Pharyngeal plexus

The pharyngeal plexus lies on the posterolateral wall of the pharynx, mainly over the middle pharyngeal constrictor and is the main motor and sensory nerve supply to the muscles of the pharynx and soft palate and acts to coordinate swallowing and speech 1-7. Summary location: within the extern...
Article

Superior petrosal vein

The superior petrosal vein, also known as Dandy’s vein or simply the petrosal vein, is the largest vein in the posterior cranial fossa, draining the anterior aspect of the cerebellum and brainstem into the superior petrosal sinus.  Gross anatomy Each superior petrosal vein is usually formed by...

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