Mediastinum

Question 1

What are the boundaries of the posterior mediastinum?

Answer 1

• Lateral: Mediastinal pleura (part of the parietal pleural membrane).
• Anterior: Pericardium.
• Posterior: T5-T12 vertebrae.
• Roof: Imaginary line extending betweenthe sternal angle and the T4 vertebrae.
• Floor: Diaphragm.

Question 2

What is the content of the Posterior Mediastinum?

Answer 2

• Thoracic aorta
• Azygos vein
• Thoracic duct
• Vagus nerve
• Sympathetic nerve trunks

Question 3

What is the content of the Superior mediastinum?

Answer 3

• Superior vena cava
• Arch of aorta
• Thoracic duct
• Trachea
• Esophagus
• Vagus nerve
• Phrenic nerve

Question 4

What is the content of the Middle mediastinum?

Answer 4

• Pericardium
• Heart
• Aortic root
• Arch of azygos vein
• Main bronchi

Question 4

What is the content of the Anterior mediastinum?

Answer 4

• Thymic remnants
• Lymph nodes
• Fat

Question 5

Where do preganglionic fibers of the sympathetic trunk come from?

Answer 5

The corresponding spinal nerves T1-L2.

Question 6

What connects the sympathetic trunk to the spinal nerves?

Answer 6

Ganglion + white ramus communicans + grey ramus communicans.

Question 7

How do sympathetic nerves leave the sympathetic chain?

Answer 7

• Through the spinal nerves forming plexuses around blood vessels.
  
  1. Cardiac and pulmonary plexuses
  2. Greater splanchnic nerve
  3. Lesser splanchnic nerve