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Superior mediastinum Flashcards

1
Q

what is the mediastinum?

A

the central compartment of the thoracic cavity

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2
Q

where is the mediastinum located?

A

between the 2 pleural sacs

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3
Q

what does the mediastinum contain?

A

most of the thoracic organs

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4
Q

what does the mediastinum act as?

A

a conduit for structures traversing the thorax on their way into the abdomen

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5
Q

how is the mediastinum divided anatomically?

A

into 2 parts by an imaginary line that runs from the sternal angle to the T4 vertebrae

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6
Q

what is the sternal angle?

A

the angle formed by the junction of the sternal body and manubrium

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7
Q

where does the superior mediastinum extend? where does it terminate?

A

extends upwards

terminating at the superior thoracic aperture

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8
Q

where does the inferior mediastinum extend? where does it terminate?

A

downwards

terminating at the diaphragm

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9
Q

what is the inferior mediastinum further subdivided into?

A

anterior mediastinum
middle mediastinum
posterior mediastinum

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10
Q

what is the superior mediastinum’s superior border?

A

thoracic inlet

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11
Q

what is the superior mediastinum’s inferior border?

A

continuous with the inferior mediastinum at the level of the sternal angle

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12
Q

what is the superior mediastinum’s anterior border?

A

manubrium of the sternum

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13
Q

what is the superior mediastinum’s posterior border?

A

vertebral bodies of T1-4

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14
Q

what is the superior mediastinum’s lateral border?

A

pleurae of the lungs

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15
Q

what are the contents of the superior mediastinum anatomical area?

A

neural, vascular, respiratory structures

passing from adjacent regions of the neck and abdomen (via inferior mediastinum)

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16
Q

what are the great vessels through run through the superior mediastinum?

A

the great systemic blood vessels of the heart and it’s main branches arise in SM before passing through the superior thoracic aperture

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17
Q

which branches of the aortic arch arise within the superior mediastinum?

A

brachiocephalic artery
left common carotid artery
left subclavian artery

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18
Q

what does the brachiocephalic artery supply?

A

the right side of the head & neck and the right upper limb

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19
Q

where does the left common carotid artery travel to?

A

to the left side of the head and neck

20
Q

where does the left subclavian artery travel to?

A

left upper limb

21
Q

what are tributaries of the superior vena cava and where are they located?

A 
in the superior mediastinum:
brachiocephalic veins
left superior intercostal vein
supreme intercostal vein
azygos vein
22
Q

what does the Brachiocephalic vein drain?

A

draining blood from the upper body

23
Q

what does the Left superior intercostal vein collect?

A

collects blood from the left 2nd and 3rd intercostal vein

24
Q

where does the left superior intercostal vein drain into?

A

the left brachiocephalic vein

25
Q

where does the supreme intercostal vein drain from and to?

A

drains the vein from first intercostal space directly into the brachiocephalic veins

26
Q

where does the azygos vein receive blood from?

A

the right posterior intercostal veins

27
Q

where do the left intercostal veins drain first into?

A

The left intercostal veins drain first into the hemiazygos and accessory hemiazygos veins

28
Q

what happens after the left intercostal veins have drained into the hemiazygos and accessory hemiazygos veins?

A

joins the azygos vein around T7-T9

29
Q

what is the path of the right vagus nerve within the superior mediastinum?

A

runs parallel to the trachea and passes posteriorly to the superior vena cava and the right primary bronchus

30
Q

where does the left vagus nerve enter the superior mediastinum?

A

between the left common carotid and the left subclavian arteries

31
Q

what is the path of the left vagus nerve within the superior mediastinum?

A

It descends anteriorly to the aortic arch, before travelling posterior to the left bronchus

32
Q

where does the left recurrent laryngeal nerve arise from?

A

the left vagus nerve as it passes the aortic arch

33
Q

what is the course of travel of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve?

A

It loops under the aortic arch, to the left of ligamentum arteriosum, before continuing its journey to the larynx in the tracheal-oesophageal groove

34
Q

where does the phrenic nerve enter the superior mediastinum?

A

From the anterior surface of the anterior scalene muscle, the phrenic nerves enter the superior mediastinum lateral to the great vessels

35
Q

what is the course of travel of the phrenic nerve within the superior mediastinum?

A

They then descend anteriorly into the middle mediastinum, passing anteriorly to the hilum of the lungs

36
Q

what are the nerve roots of the phrenic nerve?

A

C3, C4, C5

37
Q

where does the cardiac nerves originate from?

A

the superior, middle and inferior cardiac ganglion and form the superficial and deep cardiac plexuses in the superior mediastinum

38
Q

where does the superior plexus sit?

A

between the aortic arch and right pulmonary vein

39
Q

where does the deep plexus lie?

A

on the surface of the trachea at the point of bifurcation

40
Q

where does the sympathetic trunk run?

A

bilaterally to the vertebral bodies along the entire length of the vertebral column

41
Q

what are the other structures present in the superior mediastinum?

A

thymus
trachea
thoracic duct
muscles

42
Q

which structure is the most anterior within the superior mediastinum?

A

The thymus gland

43
Q

where is the thymus gland situated?

A

It sits flush against the posterior surface of the sternum and extends into the anterior mediastinum and can often reach into the neck

44
Q

what does the trachea bifurcate into? where?

A

the primary bronchi posterior to the ascending aorta at the level of the sternal angle

45
Q

what is the course of travel of the thoracic duct within the superior mediastinum?

A

the thoracic duct passes to the left of the oesophagus on its path to the junction of the left internal jugular and subclavian veins

46
Q

which muscles originate from the posterior surface of the manubrium?

A

The infrahyoid muscles, sternohyoid and sternothyroid

47
Q

what else originates within the inferior aspects of the superior mediastinum?

A

The inferior aspects of the longus colli

Resp (24 decks)

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