Groove for aortic arch
Sulcus arcus aortae
Definition
On the left lung, immediately above the hilus, is a well-marked curved furrow produced by the aortic arch (Groove for aortic arch), and running upward from this toward the apex is a groove accommodating the left subclavian artery; a slight impression in front of the latter and close to the margin of the lung lodges the left innominate vein (Groove for brachiocephalic vein). Behind the hilus and pulmonary ligament is a vertical furrow produced by the descending aorta, and in front of this, near the base of the lung, the lower part of the esophagus causes a shallow impression.
References
This definition incorporates text from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy (20th U.S. edition of Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body, published in 1918 – from http://www.bartleby.com/107/).
