Mediastinum

Question 1

What is the mediastinum and what is contained in it

Answer 1

separates pleural cavities, central part of thorax. contains thymus gland, pericardial sac, heart, tracheae, major arteries and veins

Question 2

what are the boundaries of the superior mediastinum:
1-anteriorly
2- posteriorly
3- superiorly
4- inferiority

Answer 2

1 - manubrium
2 - thoraci vertebrae T1-T4
3 - thoracic inlet and first rib
4 - sternal angle

Question 3

describe the layers of the pericardium

Answer 3

fibrous pericardium is the tough connective outer layer
then there’s the thinner serous pericardium which is split into two layers:
- parietal = lines the inner surface of the fibrous
- visceral = attaches to the heart and forms the outer cover (epicardium)

Question 4

what is contained in the superior mediastinum (BATS TENT)

Answer 4

Brachiocephalic veins
Arch of aorta branches
Thymus
Superior vena cava
Thoracic duct
Esophagus
Nerves (vagus, phrenic, recurrent laryngeal)
Trachea

Question 5

what is the function of the thymus

Answer 5

present in children, produces T lymphocytes

Question 6

draw the branch of the aorta with the respective arteries coming off

Answer 6

check notes

Question 7

draw the superior vena cava with the respective veins coming off

Answer 7

check notes

Question 8

what is the function of the azygous and hemiazygous veins

Answer 8

azygous = recieves blood from intercostal posterior veins from the right side of body
hemiazygous = receive blood from posterior intercostal veins from left side of body and drain them into azygous

Question 9

what is the function of the ligamentum arteriosum

Answer 9

connects the pulmonary trunk with the arch of the aorta so that blood can bypass the lungs in development

Question 10

what is the function of the vagus nerves

Answer 10

arise from cranial nerve 10, parasympathetic control

Question 11

what is the difference in structure between the right and let recurrent laryngeal nerves

Answer 11

right winds around the subclavian artery
left winds around the arch of the aorta

Question 12

what do the left and right vagus nerves further divide into

Answer 12

the oesophageal plexus, which forms the anterior and posterior vagal trunk

Question 13

what is the function of the phrenic nerves

Answer 13

arise from C3,C4,C5 and supplies the diaphragm

Question 14

what is the function of the recurrent laryngeal nerves

Answer 14

motor function to the larynx, trachea and oesophagus to allow swallowing, breathing and speaking, and communicate sensory information to the brain

Question 15

What is the carina and what vertebral level is it at

Answer 15

ridge of cartilage in the windpipe that is at the bifurcation of the trachea. occurs at T4/5 - same level as the sternal angle

Question 16

At what vertebral level does the trachea begin

Answer 16

C6