aortopulmonary angle

Q: On chest X-ray, the aortopulmonary angle can be found on? - select one

A) left side

B) right side

Answer: A

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

Clinical Significance: The presence of water radiodensity in this space on radiography may indicate a lymphadenopathy or possible neoplasm.

#pulmonary

#radiology

References:

1. 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.