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Posterior & Superior Mediastinum - Coggle Diagram
Posterior & Superior Mediastinum
Superior vs Inferior Mediastinum
What is the boundary between the superior mediastinum and inferior mediastinum?
Why is the sternal angle important clinically?
A horizontal plane through the sternal angle passes between which two vertebrae?
Answer
T4 & T5
What organ is found in the anterior mediastinum in childhood? What replaces this organ in the
adult?
Answer
Thymus gland. Gradually converted to fat/ adipose tissue in the adult
Posterior Mediastinum
What structures are found only in the right aspect of the posterior mediastinum? What are found only
in the left posterior mediastinum? Which structures would be found on both sides?
Only on Right
Thoracic duct (usually on this side), Azygos vein
Only on Left
descending Thoracic Aorta, Accessory hemiazygos vein and hemiazygos vein
Both sides
esophagus, esophageal nerve plexus, sympathetic chain ganglia
Neurovasculature of the Posterior & Superior Mediastinum
Vasculature
The Aorta
Outline the blood flow from specific portions of the aorta. What arteries branch from the ascending
aorta, arch of aorta, and thoracic aorta?
Describe the parts of the aorta. At what bony/cartilaginous landmarks do they transition from one
portion of the aorta to another?
Venous Drainage
Which specific vessels drain the intercostal spaces of the posterior thoracic wall? What is the
name for this drainage system? What is the typical pattern of this system?
How is the superior vena cava formed and at what thoracic level?
What vessels form the brachiocephalic vv.?
Nerves
Outline the nerves traveling through the posterior and superior mediastinum and how they are related to one another and other adjacent structures. What is the function of each of these nerves?
What nerve has a close relationship with the ligamentum arteriosum?
Answer
Left recurrent laryngeal N
Describe the thoracic splanchnic nerves. Where will these nerves synapse?
How do cardiopulmonary splanchnic nerves differ from thoracic splanchnic nerves?
answer
Thoracic Splanchnic Nerves are preganglionic fibers whereas cardiopulmonary splanchnic Nerves are postganglionic fibers (they have already synapsed in paravertebral ganglia/ IML).
Lymphatic Drainage
Thoracic Duct
In which thoracic division(s) is the thoracic duct located?
Where does the thoracic duct begin? Where does the thoracic duct terminate? Describe the pattern of lymphatic drainage input to the thoracic duct.
What is the right lymphatic duct and from where does it drain lymph?
Esaphagus
Describe the portions of the esophagus and its innervation.
Describe the relationship between the esophagus and other mediastinal structures.
Into which main bronchus are objects typically aspirated? Why?