Thorax: Mediastinum Flashcards
Superior mediastinum is bounded inferiorly by the invisible plane from
Sternal angle to T4-T5 bodies
Contents of the superior mediastinum (7)
Vagus Aortic arch SVC Trachea Thoracic duct Esophagus Thymus
Phrenic nerve and left recurrent laryngeal nerves resides in the
Superior mediastinum
Branches of the aorta (ABCS)
Aorta Brachiocephalic trunk (which gives rise to): Common carotid (left) Subclavian artery (left)
The aorta curves over
Left bronchus and pulmonary artery
The azygos curves over
The right pulmonary artery
Ligamentum arteriosum
Connects left pulmonary artery to aorta
Anterior mediastinum is located between
The pericardium and the sternum
Contents of the anterior mediastinum (4)
Parasternal lymph nodes
Sternopericardial ligaments
Remnants of the thymus gland
Internal thoracic vessels
Middle mediastinum contents (4)
Heart and pericardium Ascending aorta Bifurcation of the trachea and 2 bronchi Pulmonary artistes and veins Phrenic nerves
Posterior mediastinum is found
Behind the heart and in front of the vertebrae, down to diaphragm
Contents of posterior mediastinum
Esophagus Thoracic aorta Thoracic duct Azygos and hemiazygs veins Vagus nerves
A shifted mediastinum is defined as
Abnormal change pleural cavity pressure due to space occupying lesions or a tension pneumothorax
Widened mediastinum due to (5)
Aortic dissection Bacillus anthracis infection Retropharyngeal abscess in the danger space Thoracic surgery Esophageal perforation
Used to determine etiology of lymphadenopathy, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, lung cancer, TB, or sarcoidosis
Mediastinoscopy
