12/3/2015 Radiology Masterclass Chest tutorials Chest anatomy Trachea and main bronchi

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Tutorial introduction
Trachea and major bronchi Chest xray anatomy Previous Tutorials Next
Hilar structures
Lung zones
Pleura and pleural spaces
Lung lobes and fissures Trachea and major bronchi
Costophrenic recesses/angles
Diaphragm The large airways are visible on most good quality chest xrays. They Key points
Heart size and contours
Mediastinal contours
contain air and so are of lower density (blacker) than the surrounding The large airways contain air and are therefore
Soft tissues soft tissues. The trachea branches at the carina, into the left and right less dense (blacker) than surrounding tissue
Bones The trachea should be central
main bronchi, and these can often be followed as they branch beyond
Tutorial conclusion
the hila and into the lungs.

Normal chest xray

Hover over image to show findings

Normal chest xray

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The trachea and bronchi are visible branching
at the carina
The trachea passes to the right of the aorta and
so may be slightly off midline to the right
Highlight these structures by hovering the mouse
over the image

Click image to align with the top of the page

Assessing the airways

Start your assessment of every chest xray by looking at the airways. The
trachea should be central or slightly to the right.

If the trachea is deviated, it is important to establish if this is because

the patient has been incorrectly positioned (rotated), or if there is
pathology. If the trachea is genuinely deviated you should then try to
decide if it has been pushed or pulled by a disease process.

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12/3/2015 Radiology Masterclass Chest tutorials Chest anatomy Trachea and main bronchi

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