Thorax 7 (Sup. and Ant. Mediastinum) Flashcards
At what spinal level is the imaginary line that divides the mediastinum into the superior and inferior?
T4 (location of the sternal angle.
Where does the superior mediastinum start and end?
Starts at the sternal angle, terminates at the superior thoracic aperture.
Name the three main branches of the aortic arch?
Brachiocephalic artery, left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery.
What does the brachiocephalic artery supply?
Right side of head and neck. Right upper limb
What does the left common carotid artery supply?
Left side of head and neck
What does the Left subclavian artery supply?
Left upper limb.
Describe the location of the thymus?
Found in anterior mediastinum. Between manubrium, sternum and pericardium. Extends from jugular notch to 4th CC.
What’s the function of the Thymus?
Programming T Lymphocytes.
What’s the blood supply for the Thymus?
From internal thoracic and inferior thyroid arteries. Venous drainage to left brachiocephalic arteries.
Where do the internal jugular and subclavian vein join to form right and left BCV’s?
Posterior to the sternoclavicular joint.
The Left BCV passes ant to the arch of aorta , post to the manubrium
At what surface landmark does the RBCV and LBCV join to form the SVC?
Posterior to 1st Right Costal cartilage.
At what surface landmark does the arch of the azygos vein join the SVC?
Posterior to 2nd Right Costal Cartilage.
At what surface landmark does the SVC enter the right atrium?
Posterior to the 3rd Right costal cartilage.
Describe the path of the right vagus nerve
Runs parallel to the trachea, passes posteriorly to SVC and right main bronchus.
What does the Azygos Vein drain?
Post. chest wall
What does the subclavian vein drain?
Upper limb.
What does the internal jugular vein drain?
The head and neck.
What does the Brachiocephalic trunk divide to give?
The R subclavian and R common carotid.
Where the Brachiocephalic trunk divide?
Right sternoclavicular joint.
What’s the function of the Ligamentum Arteriosum?
Connects Pulmonary trunk to aortic arch
What spinal level is the Pulmonary trunk located?
T5
What kind of cartilage is the trachea made from?
Hyaline cartilage
where does the trachea start and end?
Starts at C6, ends at the sternal angle (T4/5).
Where does the tracheal bifurcation (Carina) occur?
T4/5.
Why are foreign bodies more likely to enter the right lung than the left?
Right main bronchus is shorter, wider and more vertical. The left bronchus is more at an angle due to the heart’s location.
What’s the purpose of the oesophagus?
Transport of fod and fluid, through the thorax and diaphragm to stomach.
What level does the oesophagus start?
C6
Describe the path of the Thoracic Duct
Starts below the diaphragm in the abdomen. Converges at the cisterna chyli which goes through the diaphragm. At T4/5 it crosses behind the oesophagus to ascend on the left side.
Describe the path of the right vagus nerve?
Runs parallel to the trachea and passes posteriorly to the SVC and the right primary bronchus.
Describe the path of the left vagus nerve?
Enters sup mediastinum between left common carotid and left subclavian artery. Descends anteriorly to the aortic arch, and posteriorly to the left bronchus.
Which nerve does the left recurrent laryngeal nerve arise from?
The left vagus nerve.
