Inferior mediastinum

Question 1

Borders

Answer 1

Anterior:
– Body of sternum

Superior:
– inferior to transverse thoracic plane
– T4/T5

Posterior:
– T4/5 – T12

Inferior:
– Diaphragm

Question 2

The inf. mediastinum is divided into 3 portions:

Answer 2

• Anterior
• Middle
• posterior

Question 3

1. Anterior mediastinum

Answer 3

• smallest sub-division
• between body of sternum anteriorly and the body of the sternum posteriorly
• continuous with the superior pericardium at the sternal angle
• limited inferiorly at the diaphragm

consists of:
- loose connective tissue
- fats
- lymph vessels and nodes
- branches of the internal thoracic vessel
- inferior part of the thymus
- Sternopericardial ligaments (keeps pericardium in place and attaches it to sternum)

Question 4

2. Middle mediastinum

Answer 4

• Enclosed by the pericardium
• contains the heart and roots of the large vessels