Respiratory: Anatomy - Mediastinum

Question 1

What are the anatomical borders of the mediastinum?

Answer 1

Superior thoracic aperture to diaphragm inferiorly

Sternum and costal cartilages anteriorly to bodies of thoracic vertebrae posteriorly

Question 2

How does the mediastinum change with age?

Answer 2

Connective tissue becomes more fibrous and rigid, so mediastinal structures become less mobile

Question 3

Describe the mediastinal subdivisions

Answer 3

Superior

Inferior (with anterior, middle, and posterior parts)

Question 4

Borders of superior mediastinum

Answer 4

Superior thoracic aperture to transverse thoracic plane

Question 5

Define the transverse thoracic plane

Answer 5

Sternal angle anteriorly to junction (intervertebral disc) of T4 and T5 posteriorly

Question 6

Borders of inferior mediastinum

Answer 6

Transverse thoracic plane to diaphragm

Question 7

Borders of anterior mediastinum

Answer 7

Sternum to pericardium

Question 8

What constitutes the middle mediastinum?

Answer 8

Pericardium and its contents (heart, great vessels)

Question 9

Borders of posterior mediastinum

Answer 9

Pericardium and thoracic vertebral bodies