Quick reference
CT anatomy cheat sheet
Vertex-to-toes slice landmarks, node stations, vessels, and nerves — derived directly from the interactive atlas.
1. Brain — Vertex of skull
Identify lobes, ventricles, and brainstem on axial slices; the Circle of Willis and dural sinuses sit midline.
Organs: Frontal lobe, Parietal lobe, Occipital lobe, Lateral ventricles, Third ventricle, Corpus callosum, Basal ganglia, Thalamus, Brainstem (midbrain/pons), Cerebellum.
Vessels: Middle cerebral artery, Internal carotid artery, Superior sagittal sinus, Transverse sinus.
Lymphatics: Meningeal lymphatic vessels.
2. Neck
The carotid sheath triad (carotid artery, jugular vein, vagus nerve) is the landmark; level nodes track along the jugular chain.
Organs: Thyroid gland, Trachea, Esophagus, Submandibular gland, Parotid gland.
Vessels: Common / internal carotid artery, Internal jugular vein, Vertebral artery, External jugular vein.
Lymphatics: Deep cervical lymph nodes, Jugulodigastric node, Posterior triangle nodes.
Nerves: Spinal cord, Vagus nerve, Brachial plexus.
Bones: Cervical vertebral body.
Muscles: Sternocleidomastoid.
3. Face & Sinuses
Orbits, maxillary sinuses, and mandibular ramus anchor the slice; salivary glands and CN VII traverse the parotid.
Organs: Globes (eyes), Optic nerves, Maxillary sinuses, Ethmoid air cells, Nasal septum, Nasal turbinates, Tongue, Hard palate.
Vessels: Maxillary artery, Facial artery, Retromandibular vein.
Lymphatics: Preauricular / parotid nodes, Buccinator / facial nodes.
Nerves: Trigeminal nerve branches (V2/V3), Facial nerve (VII).
Bones: Mandible (ramus), Zygomatic arch.
Muscles: Masseter, Buccinator, Medial pterygoid.
4. Chest — Thorax
Five mediastinal landmarks — aortic arch, carina, pulmonary trunk, SVC, and esophagus — orient every thoracic slice; subcarinal (station 7) nodes sit below the carina.
Organs: Heart (left ventricle), Right atrium, Left lung, Right lung, Trachea / carina, Main bronchi, Esophagus.
Vessels: Ascending aorta, Descending aorta, Pulmonary trunk, Superior vena cava, Pulmonary veins, Azygos vein, Internal mammary vessels.
Lymphatics: Paratracheal lymph nodes, Subcarinal lymph nodes, Axillary lymph nodes.
Nerves: Spinal cord.
Bones: Sternum, Thoracic vertebral body.
5. Abdomen
Liver right, spleen left, kidneys retroperitoneal and flanking the vertebral body; aorta left of the IVC.
Organs: Liver, Gallbladder, Spleen, Stomach, Pancreas, Left kidney, Right kidney, Adrenal glands, Small bowel, Colon (hepatic/splenic flexure).
Vessels: Abdominal aorta, Inferior vena cava, Celiac trunk / SMA, Renal arteries / veins, Portal vein, Splenic vein.
Lymphatics: Para-aortic lymph nodes, Mesenteric lymph nodes, Celiac / porta hepatis nodes.
Nerves: Spinal cord / conus.
Bones: Lumbar vertebral body.
6. Lower Abdomen
Aorta bifurcates at L4; psoas and iliacus dominate the retroperitoneum; bowel loops fill the center.
Organs: Small bowel loops, Mesentery, Ascending colon, Descending colon, Ureters, Greater omentum.
Vessels: Aortic bifurcation / common iliac arteries, Common iliac veins, Inferior mesenteric artery, Gonadal vessels.
Lymphatics: Mesenteric lymph nodes, Common iliac lymph nodes.
Nerves: Lumbar plexus roots.
Bones: Lumbar vertebral body, Iliac crest.
Muscles: Psoas major, Iliacus, Rectus abdominis, Obliques / transversus, Erector spinae.
7. Pelvis
Bladder anterior, rectum posterior, reproductive organs between; obturator nodes are key for prostate and cervical staging.
Organs: Bladder, Prostate / uterus, Seminal vesicles, Rectum, Ovaries / falciform ligament.
Vessels: Common / external iliac artery, External iliac vein, Internal iliac vessels, Obturator artery / vein.
Lymphatics: External iliac lymph nodes, Internal iliac lymph nodes, Obturator lymph nodes, Sacral lymph nodes.
Nerves: Sacral nerve roots.
Bones: Sacrum, Iliac wing, Hip joint (acetabulum).
Muscles: Obturator internus, Piriformis, Psoas major.
8. Hip
Femoral head in acetabulum, neurovascular bundle under the inguinal ligament, sciatic nerve exits posteriorly.
Vessels: Femoral artery / vein, Profunda femoris artery, Obturator vessels.
Lymphatics: Inguinal lymph nodes, Obturator nodes.
Nerves: Sciatic nerve, Femoral nerve, Obturator nerve, Pudendal nerve.
Bones: Femoral head, Femoral neck, Acetabulum, Greater trochanter, Ischium, Pubic ramus.
Muscles: Iliopsoas, Gluteus maximus, Gluteus medius / minimus, Obturator externus, Hamstring origins.
9. Shoulder
Humeral head, glenoid, and rotator cuff; axillary nodes and brachial plexus cords surround the axillary artery.
Vessels: Axillary artery, Axillary vein, Circumflex humeral arteries, Thoracodorsal artery.
Lymphatics: Axillary lymph nodes, Supraclavicular nodes.
Nerves: Brachial plexus cords.
Bones: Humeral head, Glenoid (scapula), Scapula, Clavicle.
Muscles: Deltoid, Rotator cuff (supraspinatus), Pectoralis major, Latissimus dorsi.
10. Upper arm (Humerus)
Humerus center with brachial artery and median nerve flanking it; ulnar nerve passes behind the medial epicondyle.
Organs: Humerus.
Vessels: Brachial artery, Brachial veins, Profunda brachii artery, Basilic vein, Cephalic vein.
Lymphatics: Humeral / deep axillary nodes, Superficial lymphatics.
Nerves: Median nerve, Ulnar nerve, Radial nerve.
Muscles: Biceps brachii, Triceps brachii, Brachialis.
11. Forearm / Wrist
Radius lateral (thumb side), ulna medial; the median nerve runs between the flexors with the radial and ulnar arteries flanking.
Vessels: Radial artery, Ulnar artery, Cephalic vein, Basilic vein.
Lymphatics: Cubital lymph nodes, Forearm lymphatic channels.
Nerves: Median nerve, Radial nerve, Ulnar nerve.
Bones: Radius, Ulna, Carpal bones.
Muscles: Forearm flexors, Forearm extensors, Flexor tendons.
12. Elbow
Radial head and olecranon frame the joint; the median cubital vein in the cubital fossa is the classic venipuncture site.
Vessels: Brachial artery, Median cubital vein, Radial artery, Ulnar artery.
Lymphatics: Cubital nodes, Epitrochlear node.
Nerves: Median nerve, Ulnar nerve, Radial nerve.
Bones: Distal humerus (trochlea/capitellum), Radial head, Olecranon / proximal ulna, Coronoid process.
Muscles: Biceps tendon, Brachialis, Triceps tendon, Brachioradialis, Common flexor origin, Common extensor origin.
13. Hand
Metacarpals and phalanges with palmar arterial arches; thenar (median) and hypothenar (ulnar) intrinsic muscles.
Vessels: Superficial palmar arch, Deep palmar arch, Common digital arteries, Dorsal venous arch.
Lymphatics: Digital lymphatic channels, Dorsal hand lymphatics.
Nerves: Common digital nerves, Recurrent motor branch (median), Dorsal branches (radial/ulnar).
Bones: Metacarpals, Proximal phalanges.
Muscles: Thenar muscles, Hypothenar muscles, Interossei, Lumbricals, Flexor tendons, Extensor tendons.
14. Thigh (Femur)
Femur with quadriceps anterior, hamstrings posterior, adductors medial; femoral vessels anteromedial, sciatic nerve posterior.
Organs: Femur.
Vessels: Femoral artery, Femoral vein, Profunda femoris artery, Great saphenous vein.
Lymphatics: Deep inguinal lymph nodes, Superficial inguinal nodes, Thigh lymphatic channels.
Nerves: Sciatic nerve, Femoral nerve.
Muscles: Quadriceps (rectus femoris), Vastus lateralis, Vastus medialis, Hamstrings (biceps femoris), Adductors.
15. Knee
Femoral condyles, tibial plateau, patella, and menisci; popliteal vessels and nerves fill the fossa posteriorly.
Organs: Menisci, Anterior cruciate ligament, Posterior cruciate ligament.
Vessels: Popliteal artery, Popliteal vein, Genicular arteries.
Lymphatics: Popliteal lymph nodes, Superficial knee lymphatics.
Nerves: Tibial nerve, Common peroneal nerve.
Bones: Femoral condyles, Patella, Tibial plateau, Fibular head.
Muscles: Patellar tendon, Popliteus.
16. Lower leg (Calf)
Tibia medial, fibula lateral, with anterior/posterior/lateral compartments and their vessels and nerves.
Vessels: Anterior tibial artery, Posterior tibial artery, Peroneal artery, Great saphenous vein, Small saphenous vein.
Lymphatics: Deep calf lymphatics, Superficial calf lymphatics.
Nerves: Tibial nerve, Deep peroneal nerve, Superficial peroneal nerve.
Bones: Tibia, Fibula.
Muscles: Gastrocnemius, Soleus, Anterior tibial muscle, Extensor hallucis longus.
17. Ankle
Talus in the tibiofibular mortise; posterior tibial artery palpable behind the medial malleolus, Achilles tendon behind the calcaneus.
Vessels: Posterior tibial artery, Anterior tibial / dorsalis pedis, Peroneal artery, Great saphenous vein, Small saphenous vein.
Lymphatics: Retromalleolar lymphatics.
Nerves: Tibial nerve, Deep peroneal nerve, Sural nerve, Saphenous nerve.
Bones: Talus dome, Medial malleolus (tibia), Lateral malleolus (fibula).
Muscles: Achilles tendon, Tibialis posterior tendon, Flexor digitorum/hallucis tendons, Peroneal tendons, Extensor tendons.
18. Foot & Toes
Tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges; dorsalis pedis on the dorsum, plantar arch on the sole.
Organs: Toe soft tissues.
Vessels: Dorsalis pedis artery, Plantar arch arteries, Great saphenous vein (dorsal), Small saphenous vein.
Lymphatics: Deep plantar lymph nodes, Superficial foot lymphatics.
Nerves: Medial plantar nerve, Lateral plantar nerve.
Bones: Metatarsals, Proximal phalanges, Distal phalanges (toes), Cuboid / cuneiforms, Calcaneus.
Muscles: Dorsal interossei, Extensor tendons.
19. Brain — Sagittal
Midsagittal profile shows the corpus callosum arching over the ventricle, brainstem, and cerebellum in one slice.
Organs: Frontal lobe, Parietal lobe, Occipital lobe, Corpus callosum, Lateral ventricle, Thalamus, Third ventricle, Brainstem, Cerebellum.
Vessels: Superior sagittal sinus, Internal carotid artery, Basilar artery.
Lymphatics: Meningeal lymphatic vessels.
Nerves: Spinal cord.
20. Brain — Coronal
Coronal view pairs the ventricles symmetrically with the third ventricle midline between the thalami.
Organs: Frontal lobe, Parietal lobe, Temporal lobes, Corpus callosum, Lateral ventricles, Third ventricle, Basal ganglia, Thalamus, Brainstem.
Vessels: Middle cerebral artery, Internal carotid artery, Superior sagittal sinus.
Lymphatics: Meningeal lymphatic vessels.
21. Neck — Coronal
Vertical airway column — larynx, trachea, thyroid — with carotid sheaths laterally and level nodes along the jugular chain.
Organs: Larynx, Trachea, Thyroid gland, Submandibular gland, Parotid gland.
Vessels: Common carotid artery, Internal jugular vein, External jugular vein, Vertebral artery.
Lymphatics: Deep cervical lymph nodes, Jugulodigastric node, Posterior triangle nodes.
Nerves: Vagus nerve, Brachial plexus, Spinal cord.
Bones: Cervical vertebral body.
Muscles: Sternocleidomastoid.
22. Chest — Coronal
Aortic arch, carina, and both lung fields in one view; great vessels stack above the heart.
Organs: Heart (left ventricle), Right atrium, Left lung, Right lung, Trachea / carina, Main bronchi.
Vessels: Aortic arch, Descending aorta, Superior vena cava, Pulmonary trunk, Pulmonary veins.
Lymphatics: Paratracheal lymph nodes, Subcarinal lymph nodes.
Nerves: Spinal cord.
Bones: Thoracic vertebral body.
23. Chest — Sagittal
Sagittal chest shows trachea anterior to the esophagus, aortic arch, and sternum anteriorly with the spine posteriorly.
Organs: Heart (left ventricle), Trachea, Esophagus.
Vessels: Aortic arch, Ascending aorta, Pulmonary trunk, Superior vena cava.
Lymphatics: Paratracheal lymph nodes.
Nerves: Spinal cord.
Bones: Sternum, Thoracic vertebral body.
24. Abdomen — Coronal
Liver and spleen in the upper field, kidneys paired below them, aorta and IVC flanking the midline.
Organs: Liver, Gallbladder, Spleen, Stomach, Pancreas, Left kidney, Right kidney, Adrenal gland, Small bowel, Colon.
Vessels: Abdominal aorta, Inferior vena cava, Portal vein.
Lymphatics: Para-aortic lymph nodes.
Bones: Lumbar vertebral body.
Muscles: Psoas major.
25. Pelvis — Coronal
Bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum stack vertically with iliac vessels coursing along the pelvic brim.
Organs: Bladder, Prostate / uterus, Rectum.
Vessels: External iliac artery, External iliac vein, Internal iliac vessels.
Lymphatics: External iliac lymph nodes, Internal iliac lymph nodes, Sacral lymph nodes.
Nerves: Sacral nerve roots.
Bones: Iliac wing, Hip joint (femoral head), Sacrum.
Muscles: Obturator internus, Psoas major.
Mediastinal & thoracic landmarks
Abdominal quick IDs
Lymph node stations cheat
Nerve quick reference