Contents of the mediastinum

Question 1

what is contained in the superior mediastinum?

Answer 1

BATS & TENT

Brachiocephalic veins
Arch of aorta
Thymus
Superior vena cava
Trachea
Esophagus
Nerves (vagus & phrenic)
Thoracic duc

Question 2

what is contained in the posterior mediastinum?

Answer 2

DATES

descending aorta
azygous vein and hemiazygous vein
thoracic duct
esophagus
sympathetic trunk/ganglia

Question 3

what is contained in the anterior mediastinum?

Answer 3

thymus gland

hard to see in dissection

Question 4

what is contained in the middle mediastinum?

Answer 4

heart

Question 5

where is the posterior mediastinum located?

Answer 5

behind the pericardial sac

behind the left atrium which is the posterior border of the heart

Question 6

where is the thymus gland?

Answer 6

immediately behind the manubrium

in the anterior mediastinum

after puberty, largely turns into fat

Question 7

where are the trachea and esophagus?

Answer 7

fill the superior thoracic aperture in the median plane between the apices of the lungs

Question 8

what is anterior the trachea or esophagus?

Answer 8

trachea is anterior to esophagus

Question 9

where does the trachea bifurcate?

Answer 9

behind sternal angle

Question 10

where is the aortic arch?

Answer 10

right border of the sternal angle

Question 11

where do the subclavian arteries and veins go?

Answer 11

into the upper extremities

Question 12

3 branches of the aortic arch

Answer 12

Brachiocephalic trunk (which divides into R suclavian and R common carotid)

Left common carotid (enters neck behind the left sternoclavicular joint)

Left subclavian artery

Question 13

what makes the brachiocephalic veins?

Answer 13

union of the subclavian and internal jugular veins

come together behind the R and L sternoclavicular joints

Question 14

what forms the superior vena cava?

Answer 14

the union of the R and L brachiocephalic veins

Question 15

what also empties into the superior vena cava?

Answer 15

the azygous vein

brachiocephalic veins

Question 16

what empties into the azygous vein?

Answer 16

posterior intercostal veins

Question 17

where do posterior intercostal Arteries arise from?

Answer 17

the thoracic aorta or 2 from the subclavian

Question 18

how many vagus nerves are there?

Answer 18

2

Question 19

where are the vagus nerves?

Answer 19

behind the root of the lungs

Question 20

Left recurrent laryngeal nerve

Answer 20

hooks around the left side of the arch of the aorta behind the ligamentum arteriosum

ascends in a groove between the trachea and esophagus

Question 21

is the right recurrent laryngeal nerve found in the mediastinum?

Answer 21

NO

Question 22

how can you tell the difference between phrenic and vagus nerves?

Answer 22

phrenic nerves descend in FRONT of the lungs

also longer as they go to the diaphragm

Question 23

what is the esophagous a continuination of?

Answer 23

the pharnynx

Question 24

where is the esophagus?

Answer 24

in the superior and posterior mediastinum

behind the trachea

Question 25

which way does the esophagus lean?

Answer 25

lean towards the left

goes behind the left atrium and then crosses in front of the aorta

Question 26

Esophageal constrictions, list them superior to inferior

Answer 26

a. Where the pharynx joins the upper end
b. Where it contacts the arch of the aorta
c. Where it contacts the left principal bronchus
d. The esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm

Question 27

what forms the esophageal plexus?

Answer 27

the vagus nerve reaches the esophagus

the nerve then breaks into several trunks

Question 28

what side of the sternal angle is the descending aorta on?

Answer 28

the left side

Question 29

thoracic branches of the descending aorta

Answer 29

a. Lower nine posterior intercostal arteries
b. Subcostal arteries
c. Bronchial arteries
d. Esophageal arteries
e. Superior phrenic arteries

Question 30

what does the azygous venous system do?

Answer 30

drains blood from the body wall

also receives some blood from the intercostal veins

Question 31

if the main venous channel from lower parts of body is blocked, how can blood return to the heart?

Answer 31

through the azygous vein

Question 32

what does the azygous vein split into?

Answer 32

the hemiazygous vein on the left

Question 33

what type of vessel is the venous thoracic duct?

Answer 33

a lymphatic vessel

Question 34

where does the thoracic duct begin?

Answer 34

in the abdomen

Question 35

aortic hiatus

Answer 35

midline opening in posterior diaphragm to allow descending aorta, thoracic duct, and azygous / hemiazygous veins to pass through

Question 36

where is the thoracic duct?

Answer 36

on the right side of aorta

between aorta and azygous vein

Question 37

where does the thoracic duct empty?

Answer 37

left subclavian / internal jugular veins

Question 38

coarctation of the aorta

Answer 38

aortic arch is abnormally narrow

blood must flow around vessels before the constriction

Question 39

what becomes important in coarctation of the aorta?

Answer 39

anatomases between anterior and posterior intercostal arteries

Question 40

how does blood flow in coarctation of the aorta?

Answer 40

subclavian arteries
internal thoracic artery
anterior intercostal artery
posterior intercostal artery (backward flow)
descending aorta

Question 41

What is tumor at apex of lung called?

Answer 41

Pancoast tumor

Question 42

Results of Pancoast tumor

Answer 42

impinge the brachial plexus

tumor impacts the sympathetic trunk leading to Horner syndrome

Question 43

Horner syndrome

Answer 43

Ptosis (drooping of the eyelid)
* Miosis (constricted pupil)
* Anhidrosis (inability to sweat)

Question 44

thoracic outlet syndrome

Answer 44

superior thoracic aperture / thoracic outlet becomes compressed similar to in a pancoast tumor