The Mediasteinum Flashcards
where is the mediastinum
between pleural cavities
where is the superior mediastinum
from first rib to a line joinging the sternomanubrial juction to the disc between T4-T5
where is the arch of the aorta
superior mediastinum
what is the posterior and anterior boundry of superior mediastinum
anterior - manubrium sterni
posterior - bodies of first four thoracic vertebrae
superior - thoracic inlet
inferior - sternal plane
what are the boundries of the thoracic inlet
ribs 1, T1, vertebare and jugular notch
what forms the right and left brachiocephalic vein
Right brachiocephalic vein = Right subclavian vein + Right internal jugular vein
Left brachiocephalic vein = Left subclavian vein + Left internal jugular vein
what is in the anterior mediastinum
thymus
internal thoracic vessles
sternopericardial ligaments
loose arelar tissue and fat
what are the borders of the anterior mediastinum
Anteriorly: sternum and transversus thoracis muscles
Posteriorly: fibrous pericardium
Inferiorly: diaphragm
what is a clinical perspective for the anterior mediastinum
thyroid tumor
what is in the superior mediastinum
Aortic arch and its branches:
Brachiocephalic trunk
Left common carotid artery
Left subclavian artery
Brachiocephalic veins
Superior vena cava (upper part)
Left superior intercostal vein
Thoracic duct
Vagus nerves (CN X)
Phrenic nerves
Left recurrent laryngeal nerve Sympathetic trunks
Trachea
Esophagus
thymus
what are the borders of the middle mediastinum
Anterior: anterior pericardium
Posterior: posterior pericardium
Superior: sternal plane (T4–T5)
Inferior: diaphragm
Lateral: mediastinal pleura
what is in the middle mediastinum
Heart
Ascending aorta
Pulmonary trunk and pulmonary arteries
Superior vena cava
Inferior vena cava (terminal part)
Pulmonary veins
Pericardiacophrenic vessels
Phrenic nerves
Main bronchi
what are the borders of the posterior mediastinum
Anterior: pericardium and diaphragm
Posterior: vertebral bodies T5–T12
Superior: sternal plane (T4–T5)
Inferior: diaphragm
Lateral: mediastinal pleura
what is in the posterior mediastinum
Descending thoracic aorta
Esophagus
Thoracic duct
Azygos vein (right side)
Hemiazygos and accessory hemiazygos veins (left side)
Vagus nerves
Esophageal plexus
Sympathetic trunks
Splanchnic nerves (greater, lesser, and least)
what is in the superficial cardiac plexus
Superior cervical cardiac branch of the left sympathetic trunk
Inferior cervical cardiac branch of the left vagus nerve
where does the thoracic aorta commence
T4
what does the azygous system consist of
longitudinal venous trunks on right and left sides; a single trunk on the
right side and two on the left
what does the azygous vein receive
It receives the lower eight posterior intercostal veins, the bronchial veins from the right lung, some veins from the middle third of the oesophagus and the superior intercostal vein at its convexity.
which azygous veins are on the left and the right
right - azygous vein
left - hemiazygous and accessory hemiazygous
what and where doe sthe thoracic duct start
major lymphatic duct commences at the proximal end of the cisterna chyli, at the level of the body of T12 vertebra, between the aorta and the azygos vein.
what are the 3 groups of lymph nodes in the thorax
anterior - parasternal nodes
middle - tracheobronchial or pre-aortic nodes
posterior - para-aortic nodes
