Mediastinum Flashcards
What are the four areas of the mediastinum?
- Anterior
- Middle (where heart is)
- Superior
- Posterior
What is the anterior mediastinum filled with?
FAT
Where is the anterior mediastinum located?
between sternum and pericardial sac
Where is the superior mediastinum located?
space between root of neck and pericardial sac
What gland does the superior mediastinum contain?
THYMUS GLAND
What does the thymus gland do?
- produce T-lymphocytes
- extends partially into the anterior mediastinum
What are the great vessels of the heart?
- Aorta
- Pulmonary trunk
- Superior vena cava
What are the parts of the aorta?
ascending aorta
arch of the aorta
descending aorta
What does the pulmonary trunk carry?
deoxygenated blood
What is the function of the superior vena cava?
drains the entire head and neck and upper limbs
What are the nerves of the superior mediastinum?
- Phrenic nerve
- Vagus nerve
Where does the phrenic nerve originate from?
Cervical spinal nerve C3-C5 (ventral primary rami)
What does the phrenic nerve innervate?
DIAPHRAGN
Where does the vagus nerve originate from?
Brain stem
TRUE OR FALSE
The phrenic nerve is general somatic afferent.
TRUE
brings back sensory information from the parietal pleura
The functional component of the phrenic nerve is _______________________. Why?
general somatic efferent (GSE)
Because the diaphragm is skeletal muscle
How does the vagus nerve come down and innervate?
Comes down from brain stem
Turns around and goes back to larynx
Wraps around the esophagus (makes plexus there)
Goes down to diaphragm
What branches come off of the arch of the Aorta?
- Brachiocephalic artery (RIGHT SIDE)
- Left common carotid artery
- Left subclavian artery
The ______________ arteries branch from the ascending portion of the aorta.
CORONARY
How many coronary arteries come off of the ascending aorta?
TWO
1. Right coronary artery
2. Left coronary artery
On the right side, you have the brachiocephalic trunk that splits into what?
- right common carotid artery
- right subclavian artery
What does the subclavian artery become when it passes over the lateral aspect of the first red?
AXILLARY ARTERY
The brachial branches that goes to the esophagus is an example of a what?
UNPAIRED BRANCH TO VISCERA
Paired branches to the thoracic wall is called what?
INTERCOSTAL ARTERIES
Branching arteries go down until what?
THE DIAPHRAGM
What is the function of the ligamentum arteriosum?
attaches the pulmonary trunk to the arch of the aorta
Prior to birth, what is the ligamentum arteriosum?
DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS
What do you find on the left side of the ligamentum arteriosum?
A BRANCH OF VAGUS
Which branch of vagus goes under the arch of the aorta and behind the ligamentum arteriosum?
LEFT RECURRENT LARYNGEAL NERVE