Basic and Clinical Sciences (BCSE) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

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What vertebral level corresponds with the aortic hiatus?

T10

T12

The correct answer identifies that the aortic hiatus, which is the opening in the diaphragm through which the aorta passes from the thorax into the abdomen, is located at the level of the T12 vertebra. This anatomical feature is essential for understanding the pathways that major blood vessels take as they traverse the diaphragm.

At T12, the aorta is positioned just anterior to the vertebral column and enters the abdominal cavity, where it will bifurcate into the common iliac arteries. The aortic hiatus is specifically situated in the median arcuate ligament, which connects the right and left crura of the diaphragm.

Recognizing this vertebral level is significant not only for clinical considerations, such as surgical approaches to the aorta but also for understanding the relationships between anatomical structures in the thorax and abdomen.

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L1

L2

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