Gross (04.24) The Superior & Posterior Mediastinum Flashcards
prominent and active in childhood prior to puberty
thymus gland
t cell maturation
what happens to the thymus gland in adults
functionally inactive and atrophies
may appear as fatty mass
where does the aortic arch begin and end?
sternal angle or T4-T5
what three arteries does the aortic arch give off before descending?
- brachiocephalic trunk (gives rise to R common crarotid and R subclavian)
- L common carotid
- L subclavian a
what three arteries does the aortic arch give off before descending?
- brachiocephalic trunk (gives rise to R common crarotid and R subclavian)
- L common carotid
- L subclavian a
vagus nerve gives innervation to where?
parasympathetic innervation to thorax (& abdomen)
the vagus n descends ____ to the lungs while the phrenic n descends ____ to the lungs
- posterior
- anterior
what gives somatic innervation to the diaphragm?
phrenic nerve
immediately anterior to esophagus
trachea
where does the trachea bifurcate?
at inferior limit of superior mediastinum (carina)
what are found at the carina?
numerous lymph nodes
in reference to the carina, foreign bodies usually are aspirated into the ___ ___ ___
right main bronchus
which main bronchi is shorter and wider
Right (it is also more vertically oriented)
immediately posterior to trachea
esophagus
when the stomach herniates through the esophageal hiatus
hiatal (hiatus) hernia
