Mediastinum
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Mediastinum is a part of the thoracic cavity, bounded by the sternum in the front, the spine behind, the right and left mediastinal pleura from the sides. The upper boundary of the mediastinum is the plane of the upper aperture of the thorax, the lower one is the diaphragm. Mediastinum subdivide into the upper and lower divisions. The border between them is the plane that connects the front of the sternum from the front, and from behind - the intervertebral disk between the IV and V thoracic vertebrae. In the upper part (upper mediastinum superius) the thymus is located, the right and left brachiocephalic veins, the initial section of the superior vena cava, the aortic arch and the shoulder of the head trunk, the left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery. In the upper mediastinum there are also trachea, corresponding parts of the esophagus, thoracic lymphatic duct, sympathetic trunks, wandering and diaphragmatic nerves. The lower part of the mediastinum (the lower mediastinum inferius) includes 3 parts: the front, middle and lower mediastinum.
The anterior mediastinum (mediastinum anterius) is located between the body of the sternum in front and the anterior surface of the pericardium from behind. In this department there are internal thoracic arteries and veins, okologogrudnye and prepericardial lymph nodes.
In the middle mediastinum medius, the heart is located with the pericardium covering it, the initial sections of the aorta, the pulmonary trunk, the terminal part of the upper and lower hollow veins, as well as the main bronchi, pulmonary arteries and veins, diaphragmatic nerves, diaphragmatic pericardial vessels, lower tracheobronchial and lateral pericardial lymph nodes.
The posterior mediastinum posterius includes organs located behind the pericardium. In the posterior mediastinum are the thoracic part of the aorta, the unpaired and semi-unpaired veins, the corresponding sections of the right and left sympathetic trunks, large and small internal nerves, vagus nerves, esophagus, thoracic lymphatic duct, vertebral lymph nodes.
In clinical practice, the anterior and posterior mediastinum are usually distinguished, separated by a frontal plane drawn through the roots of the lungs. In the anterior mediastinum are the heart, pericardium, aortic arch, thymus, diaphragmatic nerves. In the anterior mediastinum are also located diaphragmatic-pericardial and internal thoracic arteries and veins, perigendric, mediastinal and upper diaphragmatic lymph nodes. In the posterior mediastinum there are esophagus, thoracic part of aorta, thoracic lymphatic duct, unpaired and semi-unpaired veins. In the posterior mediastinum there are wandering and internal nerves, sympathetic trunks, posterior mediastinal and prevertebral lymph nodes.
[How to examine?