POSTERIOR MEDIASTINUM Flashcards
Boundaries of the posterior mediastinum
- Heart
- T4/T5 disc
- T5-T12
- Diaphragm
Contents of the posterior mediastinum
- Thoracic aorta
- Esophagus
- Azygos venous system
- Vagus nerve plexus
- Sympathetic trunk
- Thoracic duct
Where does the thoracic (descending) aorta start and end?
starts at T4/T5 vertebral disc junction, ends/enters abdomen at T12
What are the branches of the thoracic (descending) aorta? (What are the main 2?)
Posterior I/C aa & Esophageal aa = main 2
Others: Bronchial aa, Mediastinal aa, Pericardial aa
Where does the esophagus start and end?
begins in neck – has cervical/thoracic/abdominal parts, enters abdomen through diaphragm at T10
In the superior mediastinum what structures are anterior to the esophagus?
trachea, L recurrent laryngeal nerve
In the superior mediastinum what structures are posterior to the esophagus?
vertebral column
In the posterior mediastinum what structures are anterior to the esophagus?
vagus nerve plexus
In the posterior mediastinum what structures are posterior to the esophagus?
thoracic duct, aorta, hemiazygos veins
In the posterior mediastinum what structures are to the R of the esophagus?
azygos vein
L recurrent laryngeal nerve travels
between trachea and esophagus and back up to larynx
Azygos venous system is formed in the ____ and enters the thorax at what vertebral level?
abdomen, T12
The azygos venous system anastomoses with the ____ in the ______
IVC, abdomen
Azygos vein system consists of what 2 parts?
azygos and hemiazygos vein
azygos vein tributaries
R posterior I/C veins, bronchial, esophageal, hemiazygos veins
azygos veins into the _____ at _____
SVC, T4
hemiazygos vein drains
L posterior I/C veins