mediastinum Flashcards
what is the mediastinum?
o Central compartment of the thoracic cavity located between the lungs
what border the mediastinum superiorly?
thoracic inlet
what border the mediastinum inferiorly?
diaphragm
what divides the inferior and superior mediastinum?
imaginary line drawn from the sternal angle to posterior thoracic wall between TIV/V vertebrae
what compartments is the inferior mediastinum broken down into?
- Anterior
- Middle
- Posterior
what borders the anterior mediastinum anteriorly?
sternum
what borders the anterior mediastinum posteriorly?
fibrous pericardium
what borders the anterior mediastinum superiorly?
imaginary line between the sternal angle and TIV/TV
what borders the anterior mediastinum inferiorly?
diaphragm
what is contained within the anterior mediastinum?
lymph node
loose connective tissue
thymus gland
what is the thymus gland
• Lymphoid organ involved in the development of the immune system
is the thymus gland greater in adults or in children?
• Larger in children, begins to shrink during puberty and gets replaced by adipose tissue
what borders the superior mediastinum superiorly?
thoracic inlet
what borders the superior mediastinum inferiorly?
imaginary lines between the sternal angle and TIV/V
anteriorly: Manubrium
what borders the superior mediastinum anteriorly?
Manubrium
what borders the superior mediastinum posteriorly?
thoracic vertebral column
what organs are contained within the superior mediastinum?
trachea
esophagus
thymus (sometimes)
what arteries are contained within the superior mediastinum?
aortic arch
brachiocephalic trink
L. cartoid A.
what veins and lymph vessels are contained within the superior mediastinum?
SVC
brachiocephalic veins
thoracic duct
what nerves are contained within the superior mediastinum?
vagus N.
recurrent laryngeal N
phrenic N.
where are the vagus N. found in the superior mediastinum?
between the internal jugular and common cartoid A.
which reccurent laryngeal nerve is typically seen in the superior manubrium?
left one mostly
why is the right recurrent laryngeal N,. not always seen in the superior mediastinum?
because it branches off the vagus N. more superiorly thus dosent always dip into it.
which structure sits anterior to the other? vein or artery and why?
veins sits anterior to Arteries as protection
In relation to the hilum of the lungs where does the phrenic N. pass?
anteriorly
In relation to the hilum of the lungs where does the vagus N. pass?
posteriorly