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

Related Concept Videos

Veins of Thorax

Veins of Thorax

The azygos system is a crucial part of the body's circulatory system and drains most of the thorax. It comprises the azygos, hemiazygos, and accessory hemiazygos veins.
The azygos vein, positioned just right of the midline and anterior to the vertebral column, begins at the junction of the right ascending lumbar and subcostal veins, terminating in the superior vena cava. This vein drains blood from the right side of the thoracic wall, thoracic viscera, and posterior abdominal wall.
The...

Muscles of the Abdomen

Muscles of the Abdomen

The abdominal wall encircles the abdominal cavity, providing flexible protection and shielding the internal organs from harm. It is bordered at the top by the xiphoid process and costal margins, at the back by the vertebral column, and at the bottom by the pelvic bones and inguinal ligament. The abdominal wall is divided into two regions — the anterolateral and posterior regions.
Anterolateral Region
The anterolateral region comprises five paired muscles classified into the lateral and anterior...

Abdominal Aorta

Abdominal Aorta

Once the aorta traverses the diaphragmatic plane at the aortic hiatus, it is known as the abdominal aorta. This anatomical structure is positioned leftward of the spinal column, encased within a cocoon of adipose tissue behind the peritoneal cavity. It terminates at the L4 vertebra, where it splits into the common iliac arteries. Prior to this bifurcation, the abdominal aorta gives rise to several vital branches.
The celiac trunk, a singular artery, divides into the left gastric artery, which...

Abdominal Regions and Quadrants

Abdominal Regions and Quadrants

To promote clear communication, for instance, about the location of a patient's abdominal pain or a suspicious mass, anatomists and clinicians typically use imaginary lines to categorize the abdominopelvic cavity into either four quadrants or nine regions to identify organs in the cavity.
The simpler quadrants approach, which is more commonly used in medicine, subdivides the cavity with one horizontal and one vertical line that intersects at the patient's umbilicus (navel). The four quadrants...

Veins of the Abdomen and Pelvis

Veins of the Abdomen and Pelvis

The human body is a complex system of interconnected parts, and the circulatory system plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health. One key component of this system is the inferior vena cava, a large vein responsible for returning blood from the abdominopelvic viscera and abdominal walls to the heart.
The inferior vena cava is fed by numerous smaller veins. The lumbar veins, for instance, drain the posterior abdominal wall, emptying both directly into the inferior vena cava and into the...

Large Intestine

Large Intestine

The large intestine is divided into three main regions: the cecum, colon, and rectum. Extending from the ileocecal valve to the anus, it frames the small intestine on three sides.
The ileocecal sphincter, a mucous membrane fold, guards the opening from the ileum to the large intestine. This valve permits material from the small intestine to pass into the large intestine. Attached to the ileocecal valve is the cecum. This small pouch, approximately 6 cm long, has a twisted, coiled tube known as...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Facial Cellulitis of Unusual Odontogenic Origin.

Reports (MDPI)·2025

Same author

Hepatic IR and IGF1R signaling govern distinct metabolic and carcinogenic processes upon PTEN deficiency in the liver.

JHEP reports : innovation in hepatology·2025

Same author

Vestibular Implant Surgery: How to Deal With Obstructed Semicircular Canals-A Diagnostic and Surgical Guide.

Journal of otolaryngology - head & neck surgery = Le Journal d'oto-rhino-laryngologie et de chirurgie cervico-faciale·2025

Same author

Temporal Bone Fractures and Related Complications in Pediatric and Adult Cranio-Facial Trauma: A Comparison of MDCT Findings in the Acute Emergency Setting.

Tomography (Ann Arbor, Mich.)·2024

Same author

Validating the accuracy of deep learning for the diagnosis of pneumonia on chest x-ray against a robust multimodal reference diagnosis: a post hoc analysis of two prospective studies.

European radiology experimental·2024

Same author

Unnecessary thyroid surgery rate for suspicious nodule in the absence of molecular testing.

European thyroid journal·2023

Same journal

Subcutaneous Forehead and Incidental Orbital Varices Diagnosed with MRI Under Sedation.

Journal of radiology case reports·2026

Same journal

Pituitary Metastases from Thyroid Carcinoma: Case Series and Literature Review.

Journal of radiology case reports·2026

Same journal

Isolated Abducens Nerve Palsy: A Rare Manifestation of Recurrent Extramedullary Myeloma.

Journal of radiology case reports·2024

Same journal

A Case Report of Uterine Torsion in a Postmenopausal Female with a Large Leiomyoma.

Journal of radiology case reports·2024

Same journal

The Value of 3D SPACE MRI in Differentiating between Sequestrated Lumbar Disc Herniation and Tumors: Two Cases and Literature.

Journal of radiology case reports·2024

Same journal

Placement of Endovascular Stent for Reperfusion of Cerebral Infarct After Pediatric Traumatic Internal Carotid Artery Dissection.

Journal of radiology case reports·2024

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

The Role of Anatomical Dissection in Defining Colic and Small Bowel Artery Lymphovascular Bundles in the D3 Volume of Small and Large Bowel Mesentery

The Role of Anatomical Dissection in Defining Colic and Small Bowel Artery Lymphovascular Bundles in the D3 Volume of Small and Large Bowel Mesentery

Published on: August 1, 2025

The empty azygos fissure.

Vincent Lenoir¹, Romain Kohler, Xavier Montet

¹Geneva University Hospital, Department of Radiology, Geneva, Switzerland.

Journal of Radiology Case Reports

|May 25, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The empty azygos fissure, a rare radiographic finding, occurs when the azygos vein migrates. This suggests prior lung collapse from conditions like pneumothorax or drained pleural effusion.

Keywords:

CT Empty azygos fissure azygos fissure pleural effusion vanishing

More Related Videos

An Approach to Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Evaluation of the Abdominal Aorta

An Approach to Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Evaluation of the Abdominal Aorta

Published on: September 8, 2023

Image Acquisition Method for the Sonographic Assessment of the Inferior Vena Cava

Image Acquisition Method for the Sonographic Assessment of the Inferior Vena Cava

Published on: January 13, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 11, 2026

The Role of Anatomical Dissection in Defining Colic and Small Bowel Artery Lymphovascular Bundles in the D3 Volume of Small and Large Bowel Mesentery

The Role of Anatomical Dissection in Defining Colic and Small Bowel Artery Lymphovascular Bundles in the D3 Volume of Small and Large Bowel Mesentery

Published on: August 1, 2025

An Approach to Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Evaluation of the Abdominal Aorta

An Approach to Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Evaluation of the Abdominal Aorta

Published on: September 8, 2023

Image Acquisition Method for the Sonographic Assessment of the Inferior Vena Cava

Image Acquisition Method for the Sonographic Assessment of the Inferior Vena Cava

Published on: January 13, 2023

Area of Science:

Radiology
Thoracic Imaging
Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

The azygos fissure is a normal anatomical landmark on chest radiography.
It appears as a right paramediastinal line, with the azygos vein forming a characteristic teardrop opacity.

Observation:

An 'empty' azygos fissure is an uncommon radiographic finding.
This occurs when the azygos vein is displaced from its usual position within the fissure.

Findings:

The displacement of the azygos vein is associated with lung collapse.
Etiologies include increased intrathoracic pressure, pneumothorax (spontaneous or iatrogenic), and kyphosis.
A clinical case demonstrated the empty azygos fissure developing after large right pleural effusion drainage.

Implications:

The presence of an empty azygos fissure should prompt consideration of underlying pulmonary atelectasis.
It may indicate a history of pneumothorax or significant pleural fluid drainage.
This finding aids in diagnosing conditions affecting lung volume and pleural space.