Thorax 8: Anterior and Superior Mediastinum Flashcards
What is the level of the sternal angle?
T4/5
What is not found in the superior and anterior mediastina?
coronary arteries, pulmonary trunk, ascending and descending aorta
describe the course of the right phrenic nerve
runs lateral to Right SCV
anterior to run with Right BCV and SVC
what is found anterior to the arch of the azygous
right lung hilium
where does the arch of the azygous empty
SVC
describe the course of the right vagus nerve
runs anterior to the right SCV and then with the trachea between the venous and arterial planes
what neurovascular structures lie on the aortic arch
left phrenic nerve, left superior intercostal vein and left vagus nerve
what nerves lies posterior to brachiocephalic trunk
left vagus and phrenic nerves
what is the landmark for the formation of the brachiocephalic veins
sternoclavicular joint
what happens to the left BCV at the manubrium?
passes diagonally anterior to the aortic arch
at what landmark does the left BCV merges to form the SVC
1st right costal cartilage
where does the azygous empty into the SVC
2nd right costal cartilage
where does the SVC enter the right atrium
3rd right costal cartilage
what to the azygous veins drain
posterior chest wall
what so the subclavian veins drain
upper limb
what does the left brachiocephalic veins drain?
receives the anterior wall via internal thoracic veins and drains the thyroid veins
what vein is at risk during a tracheostomy
thyroid and left brachiocephalic veins
what nerves lie between the venous and aterial planes
phrenic and vagus nerves
what defines the arch of the aorta
T4/5
at what level does the brachiocephalic trunk bifurcate
right sternoclavicular joint at T2/3
what vessel is found posterior and to the left of the trachea?
Left subclavian
which vessels clasp the trachea?
brachiocephalic trunk and the left common carotid
at what level does the pulmonary trunk divide?
T5
describe the course of the right PA
posterior to ascending aorta and SVC
enters right lung anterior to bronchus
describe the course of the left PA
inferior to aortic arch, anterior to thoracic aorta
enters left lung superior to bronchus
what alters the tracheal diameter?
trachealis
where does the trachea start and end
C6 to T4/5
what is another name for the bifurcation of the trachea?
carina
what lies in between the trachea and oesophagus
left recurrent nerve
at what level does the oesophagus arise and what is its relationship to the aorta?
arises at C6 and passes tot he right of the aortic arch
what is the blood supply of the thymus
internal thoracic and inferior thyroid arteries
to which vein does the thymus drain?
left brachiocephalic
what is the extent of the thymus
from jugular notch to 4th costal cartilage
what might cause a thyoma?
myasthenia gravis
what is the thoracic duct a continuation of?
the cisterna chyli
between which vessels does the thoracic duct lie?
aorta and azygous veins
where does the thoracic duct enter circulation?
junction of left internal jugular vein and subclavian vein
where are the mediastinal nodes found?
clustered around the trachea and oesophagus to drain lung and lung hilium
how are medistinal nodes classified
superior/inferior tracheobronchial nodes depending on location around tracheal bifurcation
what nodes are clustered around the brachiocephalic veins
anterior mediastinal nodes that drain to the ducts and communicate with deep cervical nodes
what might cause a hoarse voice
left lung tumours and thyroid surgery affecting the left recurrent nerve
