Mediastinum

Question 1

Defintion

Answer 1

thick median region between two pleural sacs, extending from superior aperture of thorax to diaphragm and from the sternum to anterior aspect of bodies of 12 thoracic vertebrae

Question 2

Superior Mediastinum contents

Answer 2

1) Thymus
2) Great vessels
2) Trachea
3) Esophagus
4) Left and right recurrent laryngeal nerves
6) Left and right vagus nerves
7) Left and right phrenic nerves
8) Thoracic duct and lymphatic trunk

Question 3

Anterior Mediastinum contents

Answer 3

1) Thymus (when young)
2) Loose CT
3) Fat
4) Lymph nodes
5) Branches of internal thoracic vessels

Question 4

Middle Mediastinum contents

Answer 4

1) Heart
2) Roots of great vessels
3) Pericardium

Question 5

Posterior Mediastinum contents

Answer 5

1) Thoracic aorta
2) Esophagus
3) Accessory hemiazygous and hemiazygous veins
4) Azygous vein
5) Thoracic duct

Question 6

Widening of Mediastinum

Answer 6

Causes:

• trauma
• malignant lymphoma
• hypertrophy (enlargement of the heart)

Question 7

Inferior Mediastinum

Answer 7

The anterior, middle, and posterior