Introduction to mediastinum

Question 1

Where are the borders of the superior mediastinum

Answer 1

From the sternal angle to the intersection of T4+5

Question 2

Where is the transverse sinus

Answer 2

Behind the pulmonary trunk and ascending aorta, but in front of the vena cava

Question 3

Where does the oblique sinus go

Answer 3

Goes between the pulmonary veins and to the left of the inferior vena cava

Question 4

If you remove the pericardium, what can you see behind it

Answer 4

Descending aorta, oesophagus and the vagus nerve

Question 5

What vein on the RHS comes from the neck and head region

Answer 5

Right internal jugular vein

Question 6

What vein on the RHS comes from the right upper limb

Answer 6

Right subclavian vein

Question 7

What do the right subclavian and the right internal jugular vein come together to form

Answer 7

Right Brachiocephalic vein

Question 8

What vein on the LHS comes from the necking head region

Answer 8

Left internal jugular vein

Question 9

What vein on the LHS comes from the left upper limb

Answer 9

Left subclavian vein

Question 10

What do the subclavian and internal jugular vein on the LHS come together to form

Answer 10

Left brachiocephalic vein

Question 11

What do the two brachiocephalic veins come together to form

Answer 11

superior vena cava

Question 12

How many vessels come off the aorta

Answer 12

3

Question 13

What does the brachiocephalic trunk come off

Answer 13

aorta

Question 14

What does the brachiocephalic trunk divide into

Answer 14

Right common carotid artery and the right subclavian artery (to the head and upper limb)

Question 15

What are the two other vessels coming off the aorta

Answer 15

Left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery

Question 16

Which veins do the intercostal spaces drain into

Answer 16

HEmiazygous and azygos veins

Question 17

where do hemiazygous and azygos veins drain into

Answer 17

Vena cava

Question 18

What does the sympathetic trunk do

Answer 18

Give off three splanchnic nerves which go through diaphragm and supply the different parts of the abdomen and the thorax itself

Question 19

What does the Greater splanchnic nerve supply

Answer 19

T5-T9

Question 20

What does the Lesser splanchnic nerve supply

Answer 20

T10-T11

Question 21

what does the Least splanchnic nerve supply

Answer 21

T12

Question 22

What openings are there in the diaphragm

Answer 22

Inferior Vena Cava
Descending aorta
Oesophagus

Question 23

What is behind what in the diaphragmatic openings

Answer 23

Inferior vena cana–> then oesophagus—> then thoracic aorta behind it

Question 24

Where are lymph nodes found

Answer 24

all over the trachea and veins

Question 25

Where is the oesophagus found

Answer 25

Immediately behind the pericardium

Question 26

What are the dentures found in the oesophagus (common sites of narrowing)

Answer 26

• 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

Question 27

Where do the vagus nerves lie

Answer 27

In front and behind the oesophagus

Question 28

What is the main lymphatic drainage of the oesophagus

Answer 28

Thoracic duct

Question 29

Where does the thoracic duct empty into

Answer 29

Into junction of left internal jugular and left subclavian veins

Question 30

Where is the opening of the inferior vena cava in the diaphragm

Answer 30

T8

Question 31

Where is the opening of the oesophagus in the diaphragm

Answer 31

T10

Question 32

where Is the opening of the aortic in the diaphragm

Answer 32

T12

Question 33

Where does the right phrenic nerve pass through the diaphragm

Answer 33

T8

Question 34

Where does the left phrenic nerve pass through the diaphragm

Answer 34

T10

Question 35

Where does the vagus nerve pass through the diaphragm

Answer 35

T10

Question 36

Where does the thoracic duct pass through the diaphragm

Answer 36

T12

Question 37

`where does the azygos system pass through the diaphragm

Answer 37

T12

Question 38

Way to remember where the openings into the diaphragm are:

Answer 38

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

Question 39

Which part of the mediastinum is the arch of the aorta found

Answer 39

Superior mediastinum

Question 40

Which part of the mediastinum is the ascending aorta found

Answer 40

Middle mediastinum

Question 41

Which part of the mediastinum is the descending thoracic aorta found

Answer 41

Posterior mediastinum

Question 42

What does the middle of the mediastinum contain

Answer 42

Heart and pericardium

Question 43

Does the posterior mediastinum contain the vagus nerve

Answer 43

YEs

Question 44

What does the hamiazygos vein drain into

Answer 44

Azygos vein

Question 45

What do the lower posterior intercostal arteries arise directly from

Answer 45

Thoracic aorta