Vertebral Level landmark

C3
hyoid bone
C4
bifurcation of common carotid artery
thyroid cartilage
C6
cricoid cartilage
trachea begins (end of larynx)
esophagus begins (end of pharynx)​
T2
superior angle of scapula
sternoclavicular joint
suprasternal notch
T4
also known as thoracic plane or plane of Ludwig (see mnemonic)
sternal angle of Louis
arch of aorta
bifurcation of trachea (carina)
division between superior and inferior mediastinum
azygos vein drains into SVC
T8
inferior vena cava hiatus of the diaphragm
T9
xiphisternal joint
T10
esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm
​T12
aortic hiatus of the diaphragm
L1
also known as transpyloric plane (see article)
ninth costal cartilage
fundus of the gallbladder
pylorus of stomach
conus medullaris
neck of pancreas
superior mesenteric artery origin
hilum of kidneys
left: above
right: below
splenic vein transverses behind pancreas
duodenojejunal flexure
cisterna chyli
L2
renal veins
thoracic duct begins
azygos and hemiazygos veins begin
L3
umbilicus
L4
iliac crest
bifurcation of abdominal aorta
L5
inferior vena cava formed (convergence of right and left common iliac veins)
S1
sacral promontory
S2
posterior superior iliac spine
dural sac terminates
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