Brain, Neck & Spine

If your radiology report mentions the “cricopharyngeus muscle,” it’s referring to a ring of muscle at the top of the esophagus. This muscle acts like a valve that opens during…

The parietal pleura is the thin lining that covers the inside of your chest wall, diaphragm, and the sides of the mediastinum. It is different from the visceral pleura, which…

The manubrium is the upper part of the breastbone (sternum). It sits in the center of your chest, where the collarbones (clavicles) and first ribs meet. When a radiology report…

When you read a radiology report, you may notice the term “suboccipital muscles.” These small but important muscles are located at the base of the skull, deep in the upper…

The zygomatic process is a bony projection in the skull that helps form the cheekbone and part of the eye socket. It is a normal structure seen on imaging studies…

The thyroid cartilage is a key structure in the neck that protects the voice box (larynx) and supports normal breathing and speech. It can be mentioned in radiology reports for…

A preauricular lymph node is a small immune gland located just in front of the ear. These lymph nodes help filter lymph fluid and fight infection, especially in areas involving…

The laryngeal vestibule is an important part of the upper airway, located between the entrance of the larynx and the vocal cords. When it appears on a radiology report, it…

The transverse foramen is a small, round opening found in the cervical vertebrae (the bones in your neck). When this term appears on a radiology report, it usually refers to…

An inverted papilloma is a type of benign tumor that often arises in the nasal cavity or sinuses. Although not cancer, it has a tendency to grow aggressively and recur,…

The subclavian vein is a major blood vessel in the upper chest that plays an important role in returning blood from the arms to the heart. Radiologists often examine this…

The external jugular vein is a superficial vein located on each side of the neck. It plays an important role in draining blood from the outer parts of the head…