Sources
Help build the largest human-edited directory on the web.
Submit a site - Become an editor
Wikipedia. Licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Are you an expert in this subject? Join the discussion and share your knowledge at Wikipedia.org.
Aortic hiatus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Aortic hiatus | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| The diaphragm. Under surface. (Aortic hiatus labeled near center.) | |
 |
|
| Celiac and cranial mesenteric ganglion in a cat. 1 Crus sinistrum (Diaphragma), 2 hiatus aorticus, 3 Aorta, 4 Arteria lumbalis, 5 Nervus splanchnicus major, 6 Arteria celiaca, 7 Arteria phrenica caudalis, 8 Ganglion celiacum, 9 Plexus celiacus, 10 Ganglion mesentericum craniale, 11 Plexus mesentericus cranialis, 12 Arteria mesenterica cranialis, 13 Nervus splanchnicus minor, 14 Adrenal gland, 15 Arteria abdominalis cranialis, 16 Stomach, 17 Liver (Lobus caudatus), 18 Kidney | |
| Latin | hiatus aorticus |
| Gray's | subject #117 406 |
| Dorlands/Elsevier | h_11/12421932 |
The aortic hiatus is a hole in the human diaphragm through which the aorta and thoracic duct passes from the thorax into the abdomen. It is the lowest and most posterior of the large apertures.
It is located approximately at the level of the twelfth thoracic vertebra (T12).
Strictly speaking, it is not an aperture in the diaphragm but an osseoaponeurotic opening between it and the vertebral column, and therefore behind the diaphragm; occasionally some tendinous fibers prolonged across the bodies of the vertebræ from the medial parts of the lower ends of the crura pass behind the aorta, and thus convert the hiatus into a fibrous ring.
The hiatus is situated slightly to the left of the middle line, and is bounded in front by the crura, and behind by the body of the first lumbar vertebra.
Through it pass the aorta, the azygos vein, and the thoracic duct; occasionally the azygos vein is transmitted through the right crus.
 The thoracic and right lymphatic ducts. |
The Aorta does not pass through the aortic hiatus, rather, it passes posterior to it. The Azygos vein and thoracic duct pass through this opening.
- Dictionary at eMedicine Aortic+hiatus
- SUNY Labs 40:08-0103 - "Major Openings in the Diaphragm"
- SUNY Anatomy Image 8906
 |
This cardiovascular system article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
Thorax: Mediastinum (Superior, Anterior, Middle, Posterior) - Superior thoracic aperture - Inferior thoracic aperture - Triangle of auscultation - Intercostal space
Thoracic diaphragm: Caval opening - Esophageal hiatus - Aortic hiatus - Central tendon
Abdomen: McBurney's point - Lumbar triangle
Perineum: Urogenital triangle - Anal triangle - Superficial perineal pouch - Perineal membrane - Deep perineal pouch - Urogenital diaphragm - Superior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm - Ischiorectal fossa - Pudendal canal