MSK The thorax Flashcards
What is the mediastinum?
What is the border between the superior and inferior mediastinum?
The central compartment of the thoracic cavity between the 2 pleural sacs
The superior and inferior mediastinum are separated by an imaginary line running from the sterna angle to T4 vertebrae
What structures lie in the superior mediastinum?
The great vessels of the heart
- arch of aorta and it’s branches (brachiocephalic, left common carotid, left subclavian)
- superior vena cava and tributaries (brachiocephalic veins, intercostal veins)
Nerves - vagus, phrenic, cardiac
Thymus gland, trachea, thoracic ducts
What compartments is the inferior mediastinum split into?
Anterior middle and posterior
What are the contents of the anterior mediastinum?
No major structures just loose CT, fat, lymph vessels
What are the contents of the middle mediastinum?
Heart, pericardial, the tracheal bifurcation and the bronchi
Vessels - ascending aorta, superior vena cava, pulmonary trunk
Nerves - cardiac plexus and phrenic nerves
What are the contents of the posterior mediastinum?
Thoracic aorta
Oesophagus
Thoracic duct
