Great vessel space

The great vessel space is the fourth retroperitoneal space along with the anterior and posterior pararenal spaces, and the perirenal space . Unlike other retroperitoneal spaces, it is not well-defined by fascial planes and thus disease processes affecting other retroperitoneal spaces can also affect the great vessel space .

Gross anatomy

Boundaries

• laterally: perirenal space and ureter
• posteriorly: vertebral body, psoas major muscle
• superiorly: continuous with the posterior mediastinum

Contents

• aorta
• inferior vena cava
• fat
• lymph nodes

Related pathology

• retroperitoneal fibrosis: confined to this space
• abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture