Superior and Posterior Mediastinum Flashcards
T/F: The superior mediastinum consists of the area behind the body of the sternum.
FALSE
Manubrium
What creates the superior border of the superior mediastinum?
Oblique plane from jugular notch to T1
What structures are found in the superior mediastinum?
- Thymus
- SVC and great veins
- Vagus and phrenic nerves
- Trachea and esophagus
- Thoracic duct
Which brachiocephalic vein crosses trachea anteriorly?
Left
The aortic arch ends and begins at this spinal cord level.
T4-T5
What three great arteries come off of the aortic arch?
- Brachiocephalic trunk
- L common carotid
- L subclavian
The vagus nerves descend _______ to the root of the lung.
posterior
Vagus nerves provide _______ innervation to the thorax.
parasympathetic
The phrenic nerves descend ______ to the root of the lung.
anterior
At what point does the trachea bifurcate?
Carina: inferior extent of sup. mediastinum
What is specific about the right main bronchus?
- Shorter and wider
2. More vertically oriented
What is the difference between a type I and II esophageal hiatus?
Type I: sliding
Type II: fixed in position
Retropharyngeal space and danger space are related to what part of the mediastinum?
Posterior
What structures are found in the posterior mediastinum?
- Esophogus
- Azygos system of veins
- Thoracic duct
- Thoracic splanchnic nerves
What happens to the vagus nerves around the esophagus?
They form plexuses: L vagus = anterior
R vagus = posterior
What does the azygos vein drain?
Intercostal veins from right side
What vein drains the left side of the thorax?
Hemiazygos
Where does the azygos drain into?
SVC
What is a chylothorax?
Accumulation of lymph in pleural cavity
What are the two branches of nerves from the symp. trunks?
- Postganglionic symp. to thoracic viscera
2. Preganglionic symp. to abdomen
Describe the ANS in the thorax.
Sypm. from T1-T5
Parasymp. from CN X
Form cardiac, pulmonary, and esophageal plexus
