Mediastinum

Question 1

Potential space between the pericardium and sternum

Answer 1

Anterior mediastinum

Question 2

What are the contents of the anterior mediastinum?

Answer 2

Bi-lobed thymus, sternopericardial ligaments, branches of internal thoracic arteries

Question 3

In children, how far does the thymus extend?

Answer 3

From the lower pole of the thyroid gland to the 4th costal cartilage

Question 4

What is the blood supply to the thymus?

Answer 4

Inferior thyroid and internal thoracic arteries

Question 5

What are the contents of the middle mediastinum?

Answer 5

Pericardium, great vessels, root of the lungs

Question 6

What is the fibrous pericardium?

Answer 6

Single fibrous sac enclosing the heart, fusing with the adventitia of great vessels

Question 7

With which structure is the fibrous pericardium inseparable?

Answer 7

Central tendon of diaphragm

Question 8

What nerve run on the surface of the fibrous pericardium?

Answer 8

Phrenic nerve

Question 9

What ligaments connect the fibrous pericardium to the sternum?

Answer 9

Sternopericardial ligaments

Question 10

What does the serous pericardium line?

Answer 10

Inner surface of fibrous pericardium and entire surface of the heart

Question 11

What forms the epicardium?

Answer 11

Visceral layer of serous pericardium

Question 12

What does the transverse pericardial sinus separate?

Answer 12

Aorta and pulmonary artery from the SVC

Question 13

What forms the oblique pericardial sinus?

Answer 13

Reflection of serous pericardium onto the pulmonary veins

Question 14

Where is the pericardial cavity located?

Answer 14

Between the parietal and visceral layers of serous pericardium

Question 15

Which nerve supplies the fibrous and parietal serous pericardium?

Answer 15

Phrenic nerve

Question 16

Which nerve supplies the visceral layer of serous pericardium?

Answer 16

None, it is insensitive

Question 17

What arteries supply blood to the pericardium?

Answer 17

Internal thoracic, bronchial arteries, and thoracic aorta

Question 18

Where is the posterior mediastinum located?

Answer 18

Behind the pericardium, extending from retropharyngeal space to behind the diaphragm

Question 19

What is the vertebral extent of the descending aorta in the thorax?

Answer 19

From T4 to T12

Question 20

What branches arise from the descending thoracic aorta?

Answer 20

Posterior intercostal, bronchial, and esophageal arteries

Question 21

Where does the esophagus begin and end?

Answer 21

From cricoid cartilage to T10

Question 22

What is the length of the esophagus

Answer 22

25 cm long

Question 23

Where is the esophagus located in relation to midline at T10?

Answer 23

2.5 cm left of midline

Question 24

What causes indentations on the esophagus? 2

Answer 24

Arches of the aorta (aortic arch) and azygos vein

Question 25

List the esophageal constriction sites. 4

Answer 25

Cricopharyngeal sphincter, aortic arch, left principal bronchus, diaphragm

Question 26

What arteries supply the esophagus?

Answer 26

Inferior thyroid, descending aorta, left gastric arteries

Question 27

Where does the venous blood from the esophagus drain?

Answer 27

Brachiocephalic, azygos, and left gastric veins

Question 28

Which anastomosis is associated with the esophageal veins?

Answer 28

Porto-systemic anastomosis

Question 29

What nerves innervate the esophagus?

Answer 29

Recurrent laryngeal, thoracic sympathetic, greater splanchnic, vagus

Question 30

Which motor nuclei innervate the esophagus?

Answer 30

Nucleus ambiguus (upper 1/3), dorsal motor nucleus (lower 2/3)

Question 31

Where does the thoracic duct originate and terminate?

Answer 31

From the cisterna chyli (T12) to the junction of left internal jugular and subclavian veins

Question 32

Where does the thoracic duct run in relation to aorta and esophagus?

Answer 32

Between aorta and esophagus

Question 33

What forms the azygos vein?

Answer 33

Union of right ascending lumbar and subcostal veins

Question 34

Where does the azygos vein empty?

Answer 34

Into the SVC at T4

Question 35

Where does the hemiazygos vein and accessory hemiazygos drain into?

Answer 35

Into the azygos vein at T7–T8 behind the esophagus

Question 36

What forms the hemiazygos vein?

Answer 36

Union of left ascending lumbar and subcostal veins

Question 37

What does the accessory hemiazygos vein drain?

Answer 37

Middle 4 intercostal spaces