Fig. 5

Representative location of the bilateral PCPV, which runs parallel to the phrenic nerves

The PCPV on each CT slice is shown as dotted structures (arrows). a On the right side, the phrenic nerve lies laterally to the right brachiocephalic vein and the superior vena cava, while the left phrenic nerve runs laterally to the aortic arch. b-d The bilateral phrenic nerves pass anteriorly to the respective pulmonary hila and inferiorly in a broad vertical plane along the margin of the heart between the parietal pericardium and the mediastinal pleura.