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.

3,361 results found
Article

Posterior ciliary arteries

The posterior ciliary arteries are usually paired branches arising from the ophthalmic artery, one medial and one lateral, each giving off a number of branches that supply the uvea 1. Close to the optic nerve, are the short posterior ciliary arteries, usually numbering 16-20; these supply the p...
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Infratemporal fossa

The infratemporal fossa is a complex space of the face that lies posterolateral to the maxillary sinus, below the skull base, and between the pharyngeal sidewall and mandibular ramus. It overlaps with the masticator space and prestyloid parapharyngeal space. Gross anatomy The infratemporal fos...
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Gastric lymph node stations

The gastric lymph node stations were originally divided into 16 groups, as proposed by the Japanese Research Society for Gastric Cancer in 1973. Gross anatomy There are three major groups of lymph drainage from the stomach, namely, left gastric, gastroepiploic, and pyloric nodes 4, as shown in...
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Persistent carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomoses

The persistent carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomoses are variant anatomical arterial communications between the anterior and posterior circulations due to abnormal embryological development of the vertebrobasilar system. They are named, with the exception of the proatlantal artery, using the crani...
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Caudate nucleus

Caudate nuclei are paired nuclei which along with the globus pallidus and putamen are referred to as the corpus striatum, and collectively make up the basal ganglia. The caudate nuclei have both motor and behavioral functions, in particular maintaining body and limb posture, as well as controlli...
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Pituitary gland

The pituitary gland (a.k.a. hypophysis cerebri), together with its connections to the hypothalamus, acts as the main endocrine interface between the central nervous system and the rest of the body.  Gross anatomy The pituitary gland sits atop the base of the skull in a concavity within the sph...
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Aortopulmonary window (radiograph)

The aortopulmonary (aortic-pulmonary or AP) window (also known as APW, but see 'Terminology' below) is a radiological mediastinal space seen on frontal chest radiographs. Terminology The term should also not be confused with an aortopulmonary septal defect, which is occasionally also - unfortu...
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Portal vein

The portal vein (PV) (sometimes referred to as the main or hepatic portal vein) is the main vessel in the portal venous system and drains blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen to the liver. Terminology A portal venous system connects two capillary beds, meaning one organ / organ sys...
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Mastoid emissary vein

Mastoid emissary veins (MEV) are a type of emissary veins representing small venous channels connecting the intracranial and extracranial venous systems. They may have a right sided dominancy and usually run between the sigmoid sinus and posterior auricular or occipital vein by crossing the mas...
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Parietal lobe

The parietal lobe is one of the four lobes of the brain (along with the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe), located between the frontal and occipital lobes and underlying the parietal bone. It occupies about 19% of the cerebral hemispheres volume. Gross anatomy The parietal lobe ...
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Basilar process

The basilar process, also known as the mammillar or papillar process, is a rare anatomical variant of the occipital bone that is part of the spectrum of occipital vertebrae 1. Epidemiology The basilar process is a rare variant, with a reported prevalence of 4% 2. Clinical presentation A basi...
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Plantar fascia

The plantar fascia or plantar aponeurosis is a dense collection of collagen fibers on the sole (plantar surface) of the foot. These fibers are mostly longitudinal but also transverse. Gross anatomy Posteriorly it attaches to the medial process of the tuberosity of the calcaneus, proximal to fl...
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Wandering spleen

Wandering spleen is a rare condition in which the spleen migrates from its usual anatomical position, commonly to the lower abdomen or pelvis. Epidemiology Wandering spleen is rare, with a reported incidence of <0.5%. Diagnosis is most commonly made between the ages of 20-40 years and is more...
Article

Supraclavicular triangle

The supraclavicular triangle is one of the paired triangles in the posterior triangle of the neck. The triangles of the neck are surgically focussed, first described from early dissection-based anatomical studies which predated cross-sectional anatomical description based on imaging (see deep sp...
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Foramen of Magendie

The foramen of Magendie, also known as the median aperture, is one of the foramina in the ventricular system and links the fourth ventricle and the cisterna magna. It is one of the three sites that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can leave the fourth ventricle and enter the subarachnoid space. The two...
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Rule of 4 of the brainstem

The rule of 4 of the brainstem elegantly simplifies and explains the anatomy of the brainstem and the basis for various brainstem stroke syndromes. This article summarizes the original four rules 1-3, associated important clinical deficits, important exceptions, and provides two examples of thei...
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Fornix (brain)

The fornix (plural: fornices) is the main efferent system of the hippocampus and an important part of the limbic system. It is one of the commissural fibers connecting the cerebral hemispheres. Gross anatomy Roughly C-shaped, the fornix extends from the hippocampus to the mammillary bodies of ...
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Branchial apparatus

The branchial (or pharyngeal) apparatus is the complex region in the developing embryo between the head and chest that develops in the fourth week and provides bilateral ridges and valleys that subsequently develop into numerous anatomic structures of the head, face, palate and anterior neck. Th...
Article

Conus medullaris

The conus medullaris is the tapered inferior-most part of the spinal cord to which is attached the filum terminale. Gross anatomy The conus medullaris is conical in shape, tapering from the distal spinal cord to a narrow point from which a delicate strand of fibrous tissue called the filum ter...
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Spinal cord

The spinal cord is the part of the central nervous system found within the vertebral column's spinal canal. The cord extends from the corticomedullary junction at the foramen magnum of the skull down to the tip of the conus medullaris within the lumbar cistern. It is lined by the spinal pia mate...

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