the Dissection of Lymph Node Posterior to Right Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

The right cervical central compartment VI is subdivided into right cervical central VI-1 subzone and VI-2 subzone. Right central VI-1 subzone lies anterior to the RLN bounded by the hyoid bone superiorly, the suprasternal notch inferiorly, the inner edge of the common carotid artery laterally, and the midline of the trachea medially. Right central VI-2 subzone lies posterior to the right RLN. The superior, inferior, lateral, and medial borders are the laryngeal entry points of RLN, the intersection of the RLN with the innominate artery (near the right apical pleura), the inner edge of the common carotid artery, and esophagus, respectively. The floor of right central VI-2 is the prevertebral fascia.