Contents of mediastinum Flashcards
What are the contents of the mediastinum?
thymus pericardial sac heart trachea Major arteries and veins
What passes through the mediastinum?
esophagus
thoracic duct
components of the nervous system
What are contents of the superior mediastinum?
thymus brachiocephalic vein & branches superior vena cava arch of aorta & branches trachea esophagus superior cardiac plexus deep cardiac plexus
What are the branches of the brachiocephalic vein?
internal jugular and subclavian
they come together at the venous angle to form the brachiocephalic vein
both brachiochephalic veins come together and form the superior vena cava this returns blood to the right atrium
What are the branches of the aortic arch?
brachiocephalic artery - branches to R. subclavian artery & right common carotid
Left common carotid and left subclavian is a direct branch of the aorta
What is the function of the thymus?
produces t lymphocytes for cell mediated immunity
What is the difference in function from childhood to adult in the thymus?
in childhood produces and stores T cells
at puberty storage is stopped and production is reduced this is called involution
looks like fatty tissue in adults
Which brachiocephalic vein is shorter and more vertical ?
right
how does the esophagus course?
descends from neck, continues through mediastinum at midline near vert bodies passes through diaphragm into the abdomen
Where does the esophagus pass into the abdomen?
through the diaphragm at T10
What is the course of the trachea?
descends into superior mediastinum posterior to aortic arch
anterior to esophagus
What is found in the anterior mediastinum?
fatty tissue
lymph nodes
internal thoracic artery
What is found in the middle mediastinum?
pericardium, heart, ascending aorta, pulmonary trunk
What are the boundaries of the middle mediastinum?
pericardium
What is the boundaries of the anterior mediastinum?
pericardium to sternum
