Aortopulmonary space

For the congenital heart defect, see Aortopulmonary window.
On a lateral chest radiograph, the aortopulmonary space is normally seen as the "aortopulmonary window".[1]

The aortopulmonary space is a small space between the aortic arch and the pulmonary artery. It contains the ligamentum arteriosum, the recurrent laryngeal nerve, lymph nodes, and fatty tissue.[1] The space is bounded anteriorly by the ascending aorta, posteriorly by the descending aorta, medially by the left main bronchus, and laterally by mediastinal pleura.

The presence of radiodensity in this space on radiography may indicate lymphadenopathy.[2]

  • On a posteroanterior chest radiograph like this one, the left margin of the aortopulmonary space is normally seen as the "aortopulmonary angle".[1]
    On a posteroanterior chest radiograph like this one, the left margin of the aortopulmonary space is normally seen as the "aortopulmonary angle".[1]
  1. ^ a b c Dewey, Marc; Magid, Donna; Wheeler, Paul S.; Hamm, Bernd (2004). "Aortopulmonary Window or Angle on the Chest Radiograph?". American Journal of Roentgenology. 182 (4): 1085–1086. doi:10.2214/ajr.182.4.1821085. ISSN 0361-803X. PMID 15039195.
  2. ^ Heitzman E, Lane E, Hammack D, Rimmler L (1975). "Radiological evaluation of the aortic-pulmonic window". Radiology. 116 (3): 513–8. doi:10.1148/116.3.513. PMID 1153753.