Posterioir Mediastinum

Question 1

What is in posterior mediastinum

Answer 1

Oesophagus, Descending thoracic aorta, Veins (azygous/hemiazygous), Lymphatics (thoracic duct), Nerves (sympathetic trunk +splachnic nerves) and posterioir intercostal vessels and nerves

Question 2

What vertebral level does the thoracic aorta pass through diaphragm to change to abdominal aorta

Answer 2

T12

Question 3

What are veins of right and left hand side called , and what do they drain FROM and TO

Answer 3

Azygous for RHS and hemiazygous of LHS
RHS —>blood from posterior intercostal veins drain into azygous vein which drains into superior vena cava
LHS—>blood fro accessory hemiazygous into hemiazygous which drains into azygous at T8/9

Question 4

Lymph innervation here ?

Answer 4

Thoracic duct returns bodys lymph to the venous system . Located in between oesophagus and aorta .
As it ascends into the thorax(thoracic duct ) receives lymph from intercostal spaces and lymph nodes, ascends into neck on LHS/RHS , terminates by joining the venous system at junction between LEFT /RIGHT INTERNAL JUGULAR VEIN and LEFT /RIGHT SUBCLAVIAN VEIN.

Question 5

What is the mediastinum and whats is its function?

Answer 5

Mediastinum is a compartment in the thoracic cavity containing many vital structures including heart, great vessels, trachea, venous system and essential nerves. Its function is holding very vital organs and is a protected pathway for structures travelling superiorly to the heads and neck , and aso inferiority to abdomen

Question 6

What levels does the sympathetic trunk from from and to? And what is its function ?

Answer 6

From T1 down to L2/3 . Function is to provide a motorway for sympathetic fibres to innervate at the level of entry or to synapse at level of the ganglion and travel up or down via these trunks to innervate regions outside of T1 -L2/3