What is the mediastinum and where is it located?
What is the mediastinum and where is it located?
Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver. The mediastinum is an area found in the midline of the thoracic cavity, that is surrounded by the left and right pleural sacs. It is divided into the superior and inferior mediastinum, of which the latter is larger.
What vessels are in the middle inferior mediastinum?
Middle Inferior Mediastinum. The middle inferior mediastinum contains a single nerve which is the phrenic nerve, the heart and the pericardium. The vessels present include: the ascending aorta. the pulmonary trunk. the superior vena cava. the pericardiacoophrenic artery.
Why is the thoracic mediastinum clinically significant?
The mediastinum is also clinically significant due to the variety of physical anomalies and pathologies that can occur in this region. The thoracic mediastinum is the compartment that runs the length of the thoracic cavity between the pleural sacs of the lungs.
What are mediastinal reflections in radiography?
A number of mediastinal reflections are visible at conventional radiog- raphy that represent points of contact between the mediastinum and adjacent lung. The presence or distortion of these reflections is the key to the detection and interpretation of mediastinal abnormalities. Ante-
What is the superior mediastinum of the thoracic outlet?
Superior Mediastinum: bordered by the thoracic outlet superiorly, transverse thoracic plane (the plane of Ludwig) or sternal angle inferiorly, medial border of the pleural sacs laterally, dorsal surface of the sternum anteriorly, and ventral surface of the first four thoracic vertebral bodies posteriorly[1][2][3]
How many visceral organs are there in the superior mediastinum?
The superior mediastinum contains three visceral organs including the esophagus, the trachea and remnants of the thymus. The nerves that run through this area are three and there are also two different nervous plexuses.
What is the difference between anterior and posterior mediastinum?
1 Anterior mediastinum – posterior to the body of the sternum and anterior to the pericardium 2 Middle mediastinum – bounded by the pericardium, which encloses the heart and origins of the great vessels 3 Posterior mediastinum – posterior to the pericardium and anterior to the vertebrae
