Superior and Posterior Mediastinum Flashcards
superior mediastinum border - anterior
manubrium
superior mediastinum border - posterior
bodies of T1-T4 vertebrae
superior mediastinum border - inferior
transverse thoracic plane
superior mediastinum border - superior
thoracic inlet
what is reflected over the structures of the mediastinum on either side of the superior mediastinum
parietal pleura
describe the contents of the superior mediastinum from anterior to posterior
- thymus
- brachiocephalic veins uniting to give SVC
- arch of aorta
- trachea
- oesophagus
- phrenic and vagus nerves
- lymphatics
of the contents of the superior mediastinum what is not found in any other part of the adult mediastinum
thymus
brachiocephalic veins
arch of aorta
trachea
what lies directly posterior to the brachiocephalic veins draining into SVC
arch of aorta and branches
what are the 3 branches of the aorta
brachiocephalic trunk
left common carotid
left subclavian
what does the brachiocephalic trunk divide to give
right subclavian and right common carotid
describe the path of the right vagus nerve in the superior mediastinum
anterior to right subclavian artery
describe the path of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve
loops under the right subclavian artery then travels back up to larynx
describe the path of the left vagus nerve in the superior mediastinum
travels between left common carotid and left subclavian then passes along left side of arch of aorta
describe the path of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve
loops under arch of aorta (posterior to ligamentum arteriosum)
the vagus nerves give branches to what plexuses
cardiac plexus
right and left pulmonary plexus
where is the cardiac plexus
deep to arch of aorta
anterior surface of bifurcation of trachea // posterior aspect of ascending aorta
where are the pulmonary plexuses
on right and left main bronchi
the vagus nerves form what plexus
oesophageal plexus
how do the vagal trunks form
fibres of oesophageal plexus come together to form anterior and posterior vagal trunks that will continue into abdomen
the anterior vagal trunk is mostly comprised of fibres from the ___ vagus
left
the posterior vagal trunk is mostly comprised of fibres from the ___ vagus
right
what is the root of the phrenic nerves
anterior rami C3,4,5
keep diaphragm alive
describe the course of the right phrenic nerve
runs alongside right brachiocephalic vein, then SVC and then pericardium over right atrium
the right phrenic nerve passes _____ to root of right lung
anterior
where does the right phrenic nerve pierce the diaphragm
near caval opening
describe the course of the left phrenic nerve
lies between left subclavian artery and vein and continues to left of arch of aorta anterior to vagus
continues onto surface of pericardium over left atrium and ventricle
the left phrenic nerve passes _____ to root of left lung
anterior
where does the left phrenic nerve pierce the diaphragm
left of pericardium, near apex
where does the trachea begin
C6/7
below larynx
what is the point of division of trachea called
carina
what is the carina
V shaped cartilage that is the bifurcation of trachea
where is the carina
transverse thoracic plane (T4/5)
the trachea has C shaped cartilage (anteriorly/posteriorly)
anteriorly
what is found on the posterior surface of the trachea
trachealis muscle
what would be the issue if the trachea was completely cartilage
oesophagus (posterior to trachea) wouldn’t be able to expand to allow bolus of food through
where does the oesophagus begin
C6