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The mediastinum (from Medieval Latin: mediastinus, lit. 'midway'; [2] pl.: mediastina) is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity.Surrounded by loose connective tissue, it is a region that contains vital organs and structures within the thorax, namely the heart and its vessels, the esophagus, the trachea, the vagus, phrenic and cardiac nerves, the thoracic duct, the thymus and the lymph ...
The superior thoracic aperture is essentially a hole surrounded by a bony ring, through which several vital structures pass. It is bounded by: the first thoracic vertebra (T1) posteriorly; the first pair of ribs laterally, forming lateral C-shaped curves posterior to anterior; and the costal cartilage of the first rib and the superior border of the manubrium anteriorly.
The mediastinum comprises those organs which lie in the centre of the chest between the lungs. The cavity also contains two openings one at the top, the superior thoracic aperture also called the thoracic inlet , and a lower inferior thoracic aperture which is much larger than the inlet.
The root of the right lung lies behind the superior vena cava and part of the right atrium, and below the azygos vein.That of the left lung passes beneath the aortic arch and in front of the descending aorta; the phrenic nerve, pericardiacophrenic artery and vein, and the anterior pulmonary plexus, lie in front of each, and the vagus nerve and posterior pulmonary plexus lie behind.
Mediastinal structures on a chest radiograph. In the average person, the diaphragm should be intersected by the 5th to 7th anterior ribs at the mid-clavicular line, and 9 to 10 posterior ribs should be viewable on a normal PA inspiratory film.
Anterior and lateral thoracic regions ... Superior thoracic aperture (thoracic ... The central compartment of the thoracic cavity is the mediastinum. Urinary system ...
These trunks are formed by the convergence of lymphatic vessels that drain lymph from the heart, lungs, trachea, and pleura, as well as from the internal mammary and anterior mediastinal lymph nodes. [2] The lymphatic vessels merge to form each trunk, which typically drains into the venous system.
[2]: 319 The horizontal plane that passes through the sternal angle and the articular disc between the 4th and 5th thoracic vertebrae represents the imaginary boundary between the superior mediastinum and inferior mediastinum. [citation needed] It is located approximately 7 cm inferior to the superior margin of the manubrium. [citation needed]