Anatomy Flashcards
How are the superior and inferior mediastinum separated?
at the sternal angle (T4/5)
The inferior mediastinum is further divided into _______________________.
Anterior, Middle (heart), posterior
What are the borders of the superior mediastinum?
Superior: 1st rib
Inferior: T4
What are 5 contents of the superior mediastinum?
1) Thymus
2) Trachea
3) Esophagus
4) Thoracic duct
5) Aortic arch
6) Veins (SVC, brachiocephalic)
7) Nerves (vagus, phrenic, L recurrent pharyngeal)
The thymus is found in both the _________ and ___________ mediastinum and is supplied by the ________________.
Thymus:
- both superior and anterior mediastinum
- Internal mammary artery
What are 5 contents of the middle mediastinum?
1) Heart
2) SVC
3) Ascending Aorta
4) Pulmonary trunk
5) R/L Pulmonary veins
6) R/L Phrenic veins
7) Cardiac plexus
8) Lymph nodes
Does the pericardium cover the aortic arch and descending aorta?
No
What are 2 layers of the pericardium?
1) Fibrous
- outer, tough, inelastic
- bound to central tendon of diaphragm by pericardiophrenic ligament
2) Serous
- Parietal
- Visceral
True or false:
The heart is located within a double-walled fibroserous sac known as the pericardium containing pericardial fluid to enable frictionless movement.
False.
The heart is not within but surrounded by the pericardial sac
Which layer(s) of the pericardium are supplied by the phrenic nerves and thus sensitive to pain?
Fibrous and parietal of serous
Pericarditis pain is:
exacerbated by ____________
alleviated by ______________
Pericarditis pain is:
exacerbated by deep breaths
alleviated by sitting up and leaning forward (↓P on parietal pericardium esp on inspiration)
What kind of pain fibres innervate the visceral layer of the pericardium?
Sympathetic and vagus (insensitive to pain)
What are the 2 sinuses of the pericardial cavity?
1) Transverse sinus
- behind ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk
- infront of SVC
2) Oblique sinus
- behind L/R pulmonary veins, SVC and IVC
- infront of anterior esophagus
Which pericardial sinus would mostly likely be penetrated by a ingested fish bone?
Oblique
- posteriorly bounded by anterior esophagus
What is pericarditis?
Inflammation of the pericardium
What is a pericardial effusion?
The passage of fluid from the pericardial capillaries into the pericardial cavity.
What is a hemopericardium?
Stab wounds that pierce the heart may cause blood enter into the pericardial cavity
What is a cardiac tamponade?
Extensive pericardial effusion, the excess fluid does not allow heart to expand fully, thereby limiting the inflow of blood to the ventricles.
- potentially lethal condition, because the fibrous pericardium is tough & inelastic.
What is a perocardiocentesis?
drainage of fluid from the pericardial cavity
What are 4 contents of the posterior mediastinum?
1) esophagus
2) Thoracic (descending) aorta
3) Azygos vein
4) Thoracic duct
5) Sympathetic chain and splanchnic nerves
At which vetebral level does the esophagus begin?
From pharynx at C6
After entering the thoracic inlet, the esophagus lies anterior to ____________ and posterior to _____________.
Trachea < Esophagus < vertebra
At the level of the sternal angle, the esophagus is cross by:
i) the _______________ on the left
ii) the _____________ on the right
iii) the ______________ infront
@ Sternal angle, esophagus crossed by:
i) aortic arch on L
ii) arch of azygos vein on R
iii) L bronchus in front
Which chamber of the heart lies closest to the esophagus?
Left atrium
The esophagus pierces the diaphragm at which level?
T10
What are 3 physiological constrictions of the esophagus?
1) Junction of esophagus and pharynx
2) Crossing of arch of aorta (sternal angle) + compressed by L main bronchus
3) Enter diaphragm (T10)
What are 4 branches of the descending aorta?
1) Posterior intercostal
2) Esophageal
3) Bronchial
4) Pericardial
5) Subcostal
6) Mediastinal
Describe the lateral movement of the thoracic aorta inferiorly.
Begins @ L of T4 → moves medially to be anterior to lower thoracic vertebrae as it descends in posterior mediastinum
What are 4 tributaries of the azygos vein?
1) Posterior intercostal
2) Esophageal
3) Bronchial
4) Mediastinal
True or false:
The azygos vein drains blood from both the posterior wall of the thorax and the abdomen. It also forms a collateral pathway between the SVC and IVC.
True