Anterior mediastinum (dave's notes)

Question 1

Describe the anterior mediastinum

Answer 1

Little more than a potential space, continuous with the superior mediastinum

Question 2

What is found in the anterior mediastinum?

Answer 2

The thymus

Question 3

Describe the thymus

Answer 3

A bilobed organ, more prominent in children

Question 4

What are the anterior relationships of the thymus?

Answer 4

the pre-tracheal fascia, sternohyoid, manubrium, and upper part of the body of the sternum

Question 5

What overlaps the lobes of the thymus?

Answer 5

Slightly overlapped by the pleura

Question 6

What is the lymphatic drainage of the thymus?

Answer 6

To parasternal, tracheobronchial and brachiocephalic nodes

Question 7

What is the blood supply of the thymus?

Answer 7

The inferior thyroid artery and the internal thoracic artery

Question 8

What is the nerve supply to the thymus?

Answer 8

By vascular sympathetic fibres.

Question 9

What does the thymus develop from ?

Answer 9

From the endoderm of the ventral part of the third and ?fourth branchial pouches with ectoderm from the associated clefts.