Introduction to mediastinum Flashcards
Where are the borders of the superior mediastinum
From the sternal angle to the intersection of T4+5
Where is the transverse sinus
Behind the pulmonary trunk and ascending aorta, but in front of the vena cava
Where does the oblique sinus go
Goes between the pulmonary veins and to the left of the inferior vena cava
If you remove the pericardium, what can you see behind it
Descending aorta, oesophagus and the vagus nerve
What vein on the RHS comes from the neck and head region
Right internal jugular vein
What vein on the RHS comes from the right upper limb
Right subclavian vein
What do the right subclavian and the right internal jugular vein come together to form
Right Brachiocephalic vein
What vein on the LHS comes from the necking head region
Left internal jugular vein
What vein on the LHS comes from the left upper limb
Left subclavian vein
What do the subclavian and internal jugular vein on the LHS come together to form
Left brachiocephalic vein
What do the two brachiocephalic veins come together to form
superior vena cava
How many vessels come off the aorta
3
What does the brachiocephalic trunk come off
aorta
What does the brachiocephalic trunk divide into
Right common carotid artery and the right subclavian artery (to the head and upper limb)
What are the two other vessels coming off the aorta
Left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery
Which veins do the intercostal spaces drain into
HEmiazygous and azygos veins
where do hemiazygous and azygos veins drain into
Vena cava
What does the sympathetic trunk do
Give off three splanchnic nerves which go through diaphragm and supply the different parts of the abdomen and the thorax itself
What does the Greater splanchnic nerve supply
T5-T9
What does the Lesser splanchnic nerve supply
T10-T11
what does the Least splanchnic nerve supply
T12
What openings are there in the diaphragm
Inferior Vena Cava
Descending aorta
Oesophagus
What is behind what in the diaphragmatic openings
Inferior vena cana–> then oesophagus—> then thoracic aorta behind it
Where are lymph nodes found
all over the trachea and veins
Where is the oesophagus found
Immediately behind the pericardium
What are the dentures found in the oesophagus (common sites of narrowing)
- Top one is where the aortic arch crosses it
- Second one is where the left main bronchus crosses it
- THird one is where the left atrium crosses it
- Last one is where it goes through the diaphragm
Where do the vagus nerves lie
In front and behind the oesophagus
What is the main lymphatic drainage of the oesophagus
Thoracic duct
Where does the thoracic duct empty into
Into junction of left internal jugular and left subclavian veins
Where is the opening of the inferior vena cava in the diaphragm
T8
Where is the opening of the oesophagus in the diaphragm
T10
where Is the opening of the aortic in the diaphragm
T12
Where does the right phrenic nerve pass through the diaphragm
T8
Where does the left phrenic nerve pass through the diaphragm
T10
Where does the vagus nerve pass through the diaphragm
T10
Where does the thoracic duct pass through the diaphragm
T12
`where does the azygos system pass through the diaphragm
T12
Way to remember where the openings into the diaphragm are:
Vena Cava R Phrenic Oesophagus Left Phrenic Vagus Nerve Thoracic duct Aortic Hiatus Azygos system
Number of letters in the words corresponds to where they are ie 8 letters is T8
Which part of the mediastinum is the arch of the aorta found
Superior mediastinum
Which part of the mediastinum is the ascending aorta found
Middle mediastinum
Which part of the mediastinum is the descending thoracic aorta found
Posterior mediastinum
What does the middle of the mediastinum contain
Heart and pericardium
Does the posterior mediastinum contain the vagus nerve
YEs
What does the hamiazygos vein drain into
Azygos vein
What do the lower posterior intercostal arteries arise directly from
Thoracic aorta
