Middle Mediatinum

Question 1

Organs of middle mediastinum

Answer 1

Heart and pericardium (protective sheath). Tracheal bifurcation and left/right bronchi

Question 2

Vessels of middle mediastinum

Answer 2

Ascending aorta, pulmonary trunk, superior vena cava

Question 3

Ascending aorta

Answer 3

First part of aorta, arises from aortic orifice. Moves upwards, exiting pericardium and entering superior mediastinum (it becomes the aortic arch)
Ascending aorta gives rise to left and right coronary arteries

Question 4

Pulmonary trunk

Answer 4

Gives rise to left and right pulmonary arteries. The trunk is short and wide allowing large volume of blood to pass through

Question 5

Superior vena cava

Answer 5

Returns deoxygenated blood from upper half of body. Formed by right and left Brachiocephalic veins

Question 6

Nerves of middle mediastinum

Answer 6

Cardiac plexus, phrenic nerves (left and right)

Question 7

Cardiac plexus

Answer 7

Located at base of heart, contains sympathetic and parasympathetic fibres. Sympathetic nerves derive from T1-T4, parasympathetic by vagus nerve.

Question 8

Phrenic nerves (left and right)

Answer 8

Mixed nerves that provide motor innervation to the diaphragm. Arise in the neck, descend through middle mediastinum to reach the diaphragm

Question 9

Lymphatics

Answer 9

Tracheobronchial lymph nodes. Enlarged in certain lung pathologies. Form gathering of bronchial nodes within the hila. Individual groups of nodes are connected via fine lymphatic channels