posterior mediastinum

Question 1

what side of the vertebral column is the Azygos vein on?

Answer 1

the right side of the vertebral column

Question 2

what is the name of the vein that drains the thoracic wall to the left of the vertebral column?

Answer 2

the Hemi-azygos

Question 3

at what vertebral level does the posterior mediastinum end?

Answer 3

T12

Question 4

at what level does the thoracic aorta begin?

Answer 4

at T4/5 (angle of louis) or second costal cartilage

Question 5

where does the thoracic aorta end?

Answer 5

at the AORTIC HIATUS (T12)

Question 6

how many posterior intercostal arteries arise from the thoracic aorta?

Answer 6

9

Question 7

how many bronchial arteries usually arise from the thoracic aorta to supply the right lung?

Answer 7

1 (from the posterior intercostal artery)

Question 8

how many bronchial arteries usually arise from the the left to supply the left lung?

Answer 8

2

Question 9

where does the oesophagus begin as a continuation of the pharynx?

Answer 9

at C6

Question 10

how long is the oesophagus?

Answer 10

25cm

Question 11

the oesophagus then swings forward to pass anterior to the aorta, at which level does this happen?

Answer 11

T10

Question 12

what type of muscle is the upper third of the oesophagus?

Answer 12

striated and voluntary

Question 13

what type of muscle is the middle third of the oesophagus?

Answer 13

mixed

Question 14

what type of muscle is the lower third of the oesophagus?

Answer 14

smooth muscle

Question 15

what type of epithelial cells is the oesophagus composed of?

Answer 15

stratified squamous epithelium

Question 16

which crus of the diaphragm does the oesophagus pass through?

Answer 16

the right crus (NB passes through at an oblique angle which contributes to preventing gastric reflux)

Question 17

which two veins form a porto-systemic (or portocaval) anastomosis?

Answer 17

the submucosal veins in the oesophagus and the hepatic portal vein from the liver

Question 18

what are the four points where the oesophagus is constricted?

Answer 18

1. at the junction with the pharynx
2. where the oesophagus is crossed by the arch of the aorta
3. where the oesophagus is compressed by the left main bronchus
4. at the oesophageal hiatus

Question 19

what is the name of the lymph nodes the oesophagus drains to?

Answer 19

drains to the tracheobronchial (left gastric and coeliac nodes) nodes

Question 20

what is the main arterial supply of the inferior third of the oesophagus?

Answer 20

the left gastric artery

Question 21

what is the main venous drainage of the inferior third of the oesophagus?

Answer 21

the left gastric veins (and therefore the portal veins)

Question 22

which two nerves make up the oesophageal plexus?

Answer 22

the vagus and sympathetic nerves

Question 23

what is the thoracic duct a continuation of?

Answer 23

cisterna chyli

Question 24

at which level does the thoracic duct pass behind the oesophagus to ascend on the left of it?

Answer 24

T4/5

Question 25

what is the name of the ANGLE at which the thoracic duct drains into the brachiocephalic vein?

Answer 25

Pirigoff's angle

Question 26

pulsation of which artery promotes lymph flow in the thoracic duct?

Answer 26

aorta

Question 27

what is the landmark at which the lymph nodes are divided in the superior mediastinum?

Answer 27

at the tracheal bifurcation

Question 28

what are the three lymph vessels that the thoracic duct receives lymph from?

Answer 28

the left jugular lymph trunk; left subclavian lymph trunk and left bronchiomediastinal trunk

Question 29

what are the three lymph vessels the right lymphatic duct receives lymph rom?

Answer 29

right jugular lymph trunk, right subclavian lymph trunk and right bronchomediastinal trunk

Question 30

which vein does the right lymphatic duct drain into?

Answer 30

the right brachiocephalic vein

Question 31

what two major veins does the azygous system connect?

Answer 31

the superior and inferior vena cava

Question 32

what veins does the azygos system begin from?

Answer 32

the lumbar and subcostal veins

Question 33

what bony landmark does the Azygos vein join the superior vena cava at?

Answer 33

the 2nd right costal cartilage

Question 34

which artery receives the same branches as the azygos system?

Answer 34

the descending thoracic aorta

Question 35

at what level does the hemiazygos vein cross to the right to join the azygos?

Answer 35

approximately T9

Question 36

which renal vein does the hemiazygos have connections with?

Answer 36

the left renal vein

Question 37

what is another name for the accessory hemiazygous?

Answer 37

the superior hemiazygous

Question 38

what level of intercostal space does the accessory hemiazygous descend from?

Answer 38

the 4th intercostal space

Question 39

at what landmark does the accessory hemiazygos descend from?

Answer 39

at the 4th intercostal space