The transverse plane separates
the superior from the inferior mediastinum. Lastly, the lateral borders are the
mediastinal surfaces of parietal pleura on each side.
Contents of the superior
mediastinum are:
Thymus
Trachea
Esophagus
Aortic arch
Brachiocephalic trunk
Left common carotid artery
Left subclavian artery
Internal thoracic arteries
Superior vena cava
Left superior intercostal vein
Brachiocephalic veins
Phrenic nerves
Vagus nerves
Left recurrent laryngeal branch
of the left vagus nerve
Thoracic duct
Lymph nodes and vessels,
Other small arteries, veins and
nerves
INFERIOR MEDIASTINUM
The inferior mediastinum extends
from the inferior border of the superior mediastinum to the diaphragm. It is
subdivided anterior-to-posterior into three spaces:
Anterior mediastinum: this is posterior to the body of the sternum and anterior to the
pericardium
Middle mediastinum: this is bounded by the pericardium, which encloses the heart and
origins of the great vessels
Posterior mediastinum: this posterior to the pericardium and anterior to the vertebrae
CONTENTS OF THE INFERIOR
MEDIASTINUM
Anterior mediastinum: inferior portion of thymus, fat, connective tissue, lymph nodes, mediastinal
branches of internal thoracic vessels, sternopericardial ligaments
Middle mediastinum: pericardial sac, heart, origins of great vessels like pulmonary
trunk, ascending aorta, pulmonary veins; superior vena cava, inferior vena cava
tracheal bifurcation and main
bronchi
Posterior inferior mediastinum: descending thoracic aorta, azygos veins,
hemiazygos veins, accessory hemiazygos veins, thoracic duct, cisterna chyli,
esophagus, esophageal plexus, vagus nerve, greater, lesser and least splanchnic
nerves, lymphatics
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