Mediastinum Flashcards
what does the superior mediastinum contain
neural, vascular and respiratory structures passing from the adjacent regions of the neck and abdomen
what extra structure does the superior mediastinum contain in children
the thymus
what is the function of the thymus
development and maintenance of the immune system
what happens to the thymus after childhood
involutes after puberty and is replaced by fatty tissue
where is the thymus located
in the lower part of the neck and superior park of the superior mediastinum. posterior to the mediastinum
where can the thymus extend to in children
the anterior mediastinum to lie anterior to the pericardium
what is the blood supply of the thymus
the internal thoracic arteries
what is the venous drainage of the thymus
the internal thoracic and R and L brachiocephalic veins
where are the great systemic blood vessels of the heart generally located
within the superior mediastinum
name the great vessels
- arch of aorta
- pulmonary trunk
- SVC
what are the main tributaries to the SVC in the superior mediastinum
-brachiocephalic vein
-left superior intercostal vein
- supreme intercostal vein
- azygos vein
what does the brachiocephalic vein drain
blood from the upper body
what does the left superior intercostal vein do
collects blood from the left 2nd and 3rd intercostal vein. it drains into the left brachiocephalic vein
what does the supreme intercostal vein drain
drains the vein from first intercostal space directly into the brachiocephalic veins
what does the azygos vein drain
receiving blood from the right posterior intercostal veins
what does SVC return blood from
all structures superior to the diaphragm except for the lungs and heart
what is the accessory hemiazygos vein formed by
the union of the 4th to 7th posterior intercostal veins; empties into the azygos vein
where does the accessory hemiazygos vein run
superiorly in the lower thoracic region, to the left side of the vertebral column
where does the pulmonary trunk exit from
the right ventricle
where is the pulmonary trunk located
anteriorly to the aorta and it moves medially and posteriorly
what does the pulmonary trunk bifurcate into
the right and left pulmonary arteries
where is the right pulmonary artery located
posterior to the ascending aorta
where does the ascending aorta begin
at the aortic orifice of the left ventricle
what does the aorta branch into
the left and right coronary arteries
what are the 3 branches of the aorta in the superior mediastinum
brachiocephalic artery, left common carotid artery, left subclavian artery
what does the brachiocephalic artery supply
right side of the head and neck and the right upper limb