Theme 1 - posterior mediastinum

Question 1

what is the anterior, posterior, lateral, superior and inferior borders of the posterior mediastinum?

Answer 1

• anterior = posterior pericardium
• posterior - vertebrae T5-T12
• lateral - mediastinal pleura
• superior - transthoracic plane (T4/5)
• inferior - diaphragm

Question 2

what structures are contained in the posterior mediastinum?

Answer 2

oesophagus, thoracic aorta, azygos, thoracic duct, vagus nerve, symp trunk and splanchnic nerves

Question 3

what type of ganglia is formed by the sympathetic trunk?

Answer 3

paravertebral

Question 4

what do the upper 5 ganglia in the sympathetic trunk give rise to?

Answer 4

pulmonary, cardiac and oesophageal plexi

Question 5

do the lower 7 ganglia in the sympaethic trunk synapse in the trunk?

Answer 5

no

Question 6

what nerves come from the lower 7 ganglia in the sympathetic trunk?

Answer 6

splanchnic

Question 7

what levels do the greater splanchnic nerves arise from?

Answer 7

T5-T9

Question 8

what vertebral levels do the lesser splanchnic nerves arise from?

Answer 8

T10-T11

Question 9

what vertebral levels do the least splanchnic nerves arise from?

Answer 9

T12