Mediastinum & Pericardium Flashcards by Karen Fouad

Mention boundaries of mediastinum

A: sternum & costal cartilages
P: all thoracic vertebrae
S: thoracic inlet
I: diaphragm

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Extension of transverse thoracic plane

From lower border of T4 to sternal angle

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Mention anteriormost structures of mediastinum

Muscles: sternohyoid & sternothyroid

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Mention the sup mediastinal vessels

Rt. & Lt. brachiocephalic veins, upper part of SVC

Arch of aorta, the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid, left subclavian

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Mention nerves of mediastinum, & the one related to the viscera

Vagus, phrenic & cardiac plexus

Left recurrent laryngeal nerve related to trachea & esophagus

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Boundaries of superior mediastinum

A: back of manubrium sterni
P: upper 4 T vertebrae
I: transverse thoracic plane
On sides: lung & pleurae

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Boundaries of anterior mediastinum

A: body of sternum
P: pericadium
S: sternal angle
I: diaphragm
On sides: the pleura & lung

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Contents of anterior mediastinum

Remnant of thymus, superior & inferior sternopericardial ligaments, mediastinal brnaches of internal thoracic artery.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Level at which thymus ends

4th costal cartilage

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

The year in which thymus shows maximal growth

2nd year

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Mention arterial supply & venous/lymph drainage if thymus

A: anterior intercostal & anterior mediastinal (internal thoracic art branches).
V: brachiocephalic, internal thiracic & inferior thyroid
L: parasternal, brachiocephalic & tracheobronchial LN

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Boundaries of middle mediastinum

A: ant med
P: post med
S: cont with sup med at sternal angle
I: diaphragm
On sides: lung & pleurae

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Vessels found in middle medistinum

Lower half of SVC, Uppermost part of IVC, termination of 4 pulmonary veins
Ascending aorta, pulmonary trunk dividing into right & left pulmonary arteries.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Viscera of middle mediastinum

Tracheal bifurcation into two bronchi

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Stuctures at sides of the pericardium

Phrenic nerve & pericardio-phrenic arteries

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Boundaries of post med

A: pericardium & diaphragm
P: lower 8 thoracic vertebrae
S: tranverse thoracic plane
I: Diaphragm
On sides: mediastinal pleura

Vessels in post med

Descending thoracic aorta & posterior intercostal arteries
Azygos, hemiazygos & accessory hemiazygos veins
Thoracic duct & posterior mediastinal LN

Nerves of post med

Esophageal plexus & splanchnic nerves (greater, lesser & lowest)

Mediastinitis can spread from …..

Deep neck infection into the thorax

GB: Compression of vital structures of mediastinum

Lung tumour with enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes.

Aortic aneurysm

Mention effects of compression of the following:

SVC
Left recuurent laryngeal nerve
Trachea & main bronchi
Esophagus
Phrenic nerve

Severe engorgement of veins of upper part of body
Hoarseness of voice
Dyspnea
Dysphagia
Hemidiaphragm

Superior relations of fibrous pericardium

Pulmonary trunk, ascending aorta, SVC

Inferior relation of fibrous pericardium

Separated by diaphragm from liver & fundus of stomach, base is pierced by IVC

Lateral realtion of fibrous pericardium

Phrenic nerves & pericardio-phrenic vessels

The fibrous pericardium is diractly related to thoracic wall at …. & ….

Lower left half of the sternum | Sternal ends of the left 4th & 5th intercostal spaces

Mention the posterior relation of fibrous pericardium

T5-T8, separted from them by main bronchi, esophagus, esophageal plexus & descending thoracic aorta.

Amount of pericardial fluid

15-50 ml

Mention sinuses of the pericardium

The transverse & oblique sinuses of the pericardium

Mention ant & post walls of transverse sinus

A: ascending aorta & pulmonary trunk P: SVC & 2 atria

Importance of transverse pericadial sinus

Gives space for distension of ascending aorta & pulmonary trunk during increased cardiac output & distension of right atrium during atrial filling.

Describe ant & post walls of oblique pericadial sinus

A: back of left atrium P: parietal pericadium lining fibrous pericardium

Mention function of oblique sinus

Distension of left atrium during cardiac input

Blood supply & venous drainage of pericadium

A: Pericardio-phrenic, musculo-phrenic & descending aorta V: azygos system

Define cardiac tamponade & treatment

Compression of the heart by accumulation of excess pericardial fluid, such that the thin-walled atria are compressed which interfere with filling of the heart Pericardiocentesis

Mention correct technique of pericardiocentesis

A needle is introduced to left of xiphoid process in an upward & backward direction at 45o angle in the 4th or 5th intercostal space, near sternum.