Lesson 5 of 8
In Progress

Standard Transthoracic Echocardiography Views

There are four standard parasternal locations used in a typical echocardiogram.
(From Thomas et al, JVIM 1993, 7(4) 247-252)

1. Right parasternal long axis views:

  • Right parasternal long-axis four-chamber view (2a).
  • Right parasternal long-axis left ventricular outflow tract view (2b).
  • Right parasternal long-axis view of the left ventricular inflow and outflow tracts (2c).

2. Right parasternal short axis views:

  • Right parasternal short-axis view at the level of the papillary muscles (3.2)
  • Right parasternal short-axis view at the level of the chordae tendinae (3.3)
  • Right parasternal short-axis view at the level of the mitral valve (3.4)
  • Right parasternal short-axis view at the level of the aortic valve (3.5)
  • Right parasternal short-axis view at the level of the pulmonary arteries (3.6)

3. Left caudal parasternal views:

  • Left caudal parasternal four-chamber view (5a)
  • Left caudal parasternal five-chamber view (5b)

4. Left cranial parasternal views:

  • Left cranial parasternal long-axis view of the aorta (6a)
  • Left cranial parasternal long-axis view of the left ventricle showing the tricuspid valve (6b)
  • Left cranial parasternal long-axis view of the pulmonary artery (6c)
  • Left cranial parasternal short-axis view of the aorta showing the right ventricular inflow and outflow tracts (7)