Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Azygoesophageal recess.

James G Ravenel¹, Jeremy J Erasmus

¹Department of Radiology, Medical University Hospital, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. ravenejg@musc.edu

Journal of Thoracic Imaging

|June 26, 2002

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Advances in Radiological Imaging for Thoracic Oncology: A 20-Year Perspective.

Journal of thoracic oncology : official publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·2026

Same author

Lung Injury after Precision Radiotherapy: Temporal Evolution, Potential Pitfalls, and Complications.

Radiographics : a review publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc·2026

Same author

Atypical Pulmonary Metastases: Patterns and Clinical Significance.

Radiographics : a review publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc·2025

Same author

Is <sup>18</sup>F-FDG-PET/CT useful in staging of locally advanced signet-ring cell esophageal adenocarcinoma?

Clinical imaging·2025

Same author

Editorial Commentary: Baseline Radiomic Signature to Estimate Overall Survival in Patients With NSCLC.

Journal of thoracic oncology : official publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·2023

Same author

Gastric Extent of Tumor Predicts Peritoneal Metastasis in Siewert II Adenocarcinoma.

The Annals of thoracic surgery·2023

Same journal

Editors' Recognition for Reviewing in 2025.

Journal of thoracic imaging·2026

Same journal

The Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Multi-Chamber Strain Analysis by Cardiac MRI in Amyloidosis.

Journal of thoracic imaging·2026

Same journal

Computed Tomography-Derived Nakata Index as a Predictor of Functional Impairment in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Journal of thoracic imaging·2026

Same journal

Regarding the Society of Thoracic Radiology Mentoring Program.

Journal of thoracic imaging·2026

Same journal

Pulmonary Fungal Infections in Immunocompetent Patients.

Journal of thoracic imaging·2026

Same journal

The Air-Cleft Sign: Imaging and Histopathologic Findings in 7 Cases of Pulmonary Benign Metastasizing Leiomyomatosis.

Journal of thoracic imaging·2026

See all related articles

Understanding the azygoesophageal recess

Area of Science:

Radiology
Thoracic Imaging
Anatomy

Background:

The azygoesophageal recess is a key anatomical space in the thorax.
Its normal appearance on imaging is crucial for identifying abnormalities.
Pathology in this region can indicate significant intrathoracic disease.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe the normal radiologic anatomy of the azygoesophageal recess.
To outline the common manifestations of disease within this space.
To aid in the detection and diagnosis of intrathoracic conditions.

Main Methods:

Review of normal chest radiographs.
Identification of the azygoesophageal recess boundaries and typical configuration.
Correlation of imaging findings with potential pathologies.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

The azygoesophageal recess is located posterior to the esophagus and anterior to the spine.
Its normal shape is a smooth arc, convex to the left on frontal radiographs.
Abnormal findings include rightward convexity below the azygous vein, indicating potential disease.

Conclusions:

Radiographic assessment of the azygoesophageal recess is vital for diagnosing thoracic abnormalities.
Familiarity with its normal appearance aids in distinguishing physiological variations from pathology.
Abnormal contour suggests the need for further investigation of intrathoracic disease.