Mediastinum

Question 1

T/F: the thymus extends into both the superior and anterior mediastinums?

Answer 1

True

Question 2

At what vertebral level does the IVC exit the diaphragm?

Answer 2

T8

Question 3

At what vertebral level does the aorta exit the diaphragm?

Answer 3

T12

Question 4

At what vertebral level does the esophagus exit the diaphragm?

Answer 4

T10

Question 5

Where does the esophagus start?

Answer 5

inferior border of the cricoid cartilage

Question 6

What is a hiatal hernia? What are the different types?

Answer 6

stomach herniates into esophageal hiatus
Type I - often asymptomatic; stomach slides freely into thorax; most common
Type II- fundus is fixed in place in diaphragm; risks gastric blood

Question 7

Where can you find the retropharyngeal space?

Answer 7

Between the buccopharyngeal fascia and the prevertebral fascia

Question 8

The retropharyngeal space extends into what mediastinal division?

Answer 8

superior mediastinum

Question 9

The danger space extends into what mediastinal division?

Answer 9

posterior mediastinum

Question 10

Which of the following structures is NOT part of the posterior mediastinum?
esophagus & esophageal plexus
azygos system of vv.
phrenic n.
descending aorta
thoracic duct
throacic splanchnic nn.

Answer 10

phrenic n.

Question 11

The left vagus n. becomes what vagal trunk of the esophagus?

Answer 11

anterior

Question 12

The right vagus n. becomes what vagal trunk of the esophagus?

Answer 12

posterior

Question 13

T/F: the phrenic n. forms the esophageal plexus.

Answer 13

False. It is the Vagus n. that forms this plexus

Question 14

Where is the vagus n. ultimately going?

Answer 14

anterior 2/3 of the transverse colon (hindgut)

Question 15

in order to drain into the SVC, the azygos vein must cross over what structure?

Answer 15

the right superior bronchus

Question 16

Where do the posterior intercostal aa. come from?

Answer 16

the descending thoracic aorta

Question 17

Where is the thoracic duct located. What does it drain into?

Answer 17

thoracic duct is between the azygos v. and the descending aorta. Posterior to the esophagus, anterior to the vertebral body
it drains the left venous angle (IJV & left subclavian v.)

Question 18

What is the name for accumulation of lymph in the pleural cavity?

Answer 18

chylothorax

Question 19

Are the greater, lesser, and least splanchnic nerves pre- or postganglionic sympathetic?

Answer 19

preganglionic sympathetic. They travel with the sympathetic trunk, but do not synapse there

Question 20

What vertebral levels does the greater splancnic n. carry?

Answer 20

T5-T9

Question 21

What vertebral levels does the lesser splancnic n. carry?

Answer 21

T10-T11

Question 22

What vetebral levels does the least splancnic n. carry?

Answer 22

T12

Question 23

What plexus does the greater splancnic n. contribute to?

Answer 23

celiac trunk plexus

Question 24

What plexuses do the lesser and least splancnic nn contribute to?

Answer 24

SMA

aorticorenal

Question 25

What are the three plexuses found in the thorax?

Answer 25

cardiac plexus esophageal plexus pulmonary plexus

Question 26

Are the sympathetics going to the thoracic viscera pre- or postganglionic?

Answer 26

postganglionic