Superior and inferior mediastinum

The mediastinum is the area between the right and left pleural cavities.
Its bounderies are:

Superior mediastinum

Boundaries:


the superior mediastinum is bounded superiorly by the thoracic inlet and inferiorly by a horizontal line through the sternal angle.

Contents:


  • aortic arch
  • brachiocephalic trunk
  • left common carotid a.
  • left subclavian a.
  • superior vena cava
  • brachiocephalic v.
  • thymus
  • trachea and esophagus
  • vagus and phrenic n.
  • recurrent laryngeal
  • thoracic duct.

Posterior mediastinum

Boundaries:


the posterior mediastinum is the area behind the heart.

Contents:


  • descending aorta
  • azygos and hemiazygos v.
  • esophagus
  • thoracic duct
  • thoracic splanchnic n.
  • vagus n.

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jmcnulty@lumc.edu
 Last Updated: March 28, 1996
Created: 1 March 1996