Diaphragmatic apertures (mnemonic)

A useful mnemonic to remember the thoracic spinal levels at which the three major structures pass through the diaphragmatic apertures is:

• I 8 10 eggs at 12  - where 8 is a homophone for 'ate' and the 'e' in eggs is for the US spelling of esophagus

Mnemonic

• I 8: inferior vena cava at T8
• 10 eggs: esophagus (US spelling) at T10
• at 12: aorta at T12