Mediastinum

Question 1

What is the mediastinum subdivided in to?

Answer 1

Superior mediastinum and Inferior mediastinum

Question 2

What does the superior mediastinum contain?

Answer 2

Venous plane: brachiocephalic vein and SVC
Arterial plane: aortic arch, brachiocephalic artery, common carotid and subclavian artery
Nerves: vagus and phrenic nerve
Visceral plane: trachea and oesophagus

Question 3

What is the inferior mediastinum further divided in to?

Answer 3

Anterior (in front of pericardium), middle and posterior (behind pericardium)

Question 4

What does the (inferior) anterior mediastinum contain?

Answer 4

Thymus

Question 5

What does the (inferior) middle mediastinum contain?

Answer 5

Heart, pericardium and great vessels

Question 6

What does the (inferior) posterior mediastinum contain?

Answer 6

Descending aorta, oesophagus, thoracic duct, azygous vein and sympathetic chain

Question 7

Which bone forms the anterior border of the superior mediastinum?

Answer 7

Body of sternum

Question 8

Which vertebrae form the posterior border of the superior mediastinum?

Answer 8

T1-T4

Question 9

What plane separates the superior from the inferior mediastinum?

Answer 9

Transverse plane