In the three vessel view, which vessel should be smaller than the others?

Prepare for the Fetal Echocardiography Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions that come with hints and explanations. Ace your exam preparation!

In the three vessel view you’re looking at a cross-section of the upper mediastinum showing the pulmonary artery, the aorta, and the superior vena cava. A normal arrangement has a distinct size relationship: the pulmonary artery is typically the largest, the superior vena cava is intermediate to large, and the aorta tends to be the smallest. This makes the aorta the vessel that should be smaller than the others in this view. If the aorta isn’t the smallest, it can raise concern for an abnormal size relationship of the great vessels. Note that the inferior vena cava is not the vessel depicted in this view, so it isn’t the correct vessel to expect as the smallest.