Aortic nipple

Last revised by Liz Silverstone on 21 Apr 2024

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Czarniecki M, Silverstone L, Niknejad M, et al. Aortic nipple. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 25 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-27134

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-27134

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/27134

rID:

27134

Article created:

21 Jan 2014, Marcin Czarniecki

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Marcin Czarniecki had no recorded disclosures.

View Marcin Czarniecki's current disclosures

Last revised:

21 Apr 2024, Liz Silverstone ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Liz Silverstone had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.

View Liz Silverstone's current disclosures

Revisions:

14 times, by 12 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Chest

Sections:

Approach

Tags:

stub, refs, cases

Synonyms:

Aortic nipples

Aortic nipple is the name given to the chest radiography appearance of the left superior intercostal vein as it courses over the aortic arch. This small convexity is seen in less than 10% of PA chest x-rays. The calibre of the vein normally changes with intrathoracic pressure and patient position.

Fixed dilatation occurs due to the increased flow associated with superior vena cava obstruction or absent azygos vein, a rare normal variant ³. The superior intercostal vein acts as a collateral pathway.