Posterior Mediastinum Flashcards
how long does the esophagus extend?
C6 - T11
position of the esophagus?
posterior to trachea, anterior to thoracic vertebrae in superior mediastinum
what forms the esophageal plexus of nerves?
right and left vagus nerves
describe the location of the left laryngeal recurrent nerve?
branches off the left vagus nerve, curves under the aortic arch and back up along the esophagus and trachea
where are the possible narrowings of the esophagus?
- junction of esophagus and pharynx
- where esophagus is crossed by the aortic arch
- where the esophagus is compressed by the left main bronchus
- at the esophageal hiatus
blood supply to the esophagus
- thoracic aortic esophageal branches
- bronchial arteries
- the ascending branches of the left gastric artery (distal portion)
what passes through the esophageal hiatus?
- esophagus
- vagus trunks
- esophageal branches of left gastric artery
where is the esophageal hiatus?
T10
what passes through the caval foramen opening?
- inferior vena cava
- terminal branches of right phrenic nerve
- lymphatic vessels from liver
what passes through the aortic hiatus?
- abdominal aorta
- thoracic duct
- azygos vein
what provides parasympathetic innervation to thoracic and abdominal viscera?
vagus nerves
where do the vagus nerves pass?
posterior to lung roots
innervation of esophagus?
vagus nerves form esophageal plexus
trace the left vagus nerve?
branches to form the left recurrent laryngeal nerve, passes posterior to lung roots to form the esophageal plexus, then become anterior and posterior vagal trunks near diaphragm
what relays pain information from the esophagus?
visceral afferents from sympathetic trunks
what relays info about normal physiological process back to CNS for esophagus?
visceral afferents (parasympathetic) from the vagus nerves
where does the thoracic aorta begin?
T4
where does the thoracic aorta end?
T12 as it passes through the diaphragm
location of the thoracic aorta relative to the vertebral column?
left of vertebral column superiorly, then anterior to the vertebral column inferiorly
branches of the thoracic aorta
BEMPPSS
- bronchial
- esophageal
- mediastinal
- pericardial
- posterior intercostal (3-11)
- superior phrenic
- subcostal
what drainage does the azygos vein receive?
the right posterior intercostal veins as high as the 5th intercostal space, then dumps into the superior vena cava
what drainage does the hemiazygos vein receive?
the left lower posterior intercostal veins (9,10,11,12), then crosses around T9 to drain into azyos vein
what drainage does the accessory hemiazygos vein receive?
left posterior intercostal veins 5-8, then drains into azygos vein
what is the right superior intercostal vein?
a single vessel formed by the junction of the 2-4 posterior intercostal veins that drains into the azygos vein
what is the left superior intercostal vein?
receives left posterior intercostal veins 2-4 and drains into the accessory hemiazygos vein
what supplies posterior intercostal arteries 1-2?
supreme intercostal artery off of the costocervical trunk
what supplies anterior intercostal arteries 1-6?
internal thoracic artery
what supplies anterior intercostal arteries 6-11?
musculophrenic artery
what supplies posterior intercostal arteries 3-11?
thoracic aorta
what is the thoracic duct?
principal channel of lymphatic flow, beginning as a confluence of lymphatic trunks in the abdomen
where is the thoracic duct located?
posterior mediastinum, posterior to esophagus in between aorta and azygos vein
what does the thoracic duct receive?
all regions of the body below the diaphragm, left side of thorax, head and neck, left upper limb
what drains into the right lymphatic duct?
right upper limb, right side of thorax, head and neck
where does the thoracic duct drain into?
junction of the left subclavian and left internal jugular veins
where does the thoracic duct enter?
through the aortic hiatus, posterior to the esophagus into the inferior portion of the superior mediastinum
what is the cisterna chyli?
the beginning of the thoracic duct, receiving all lower limb lymph
what are the sympathetic trunks?
a major component of the sympathetic portion of the ANS, 2 parallel cords along the vertebral column with 10-12 ganglia