What are the structures of the posterior mediastinum?
The posterior mediastinum includes the descending aorta, adjacent osseous structures (the spine and ribs), nerves, roots, spinal cord, esophagus, azygous and hemiazygous veins, and some lymph nodes.
What is posterior mediastinal?
The posterior mediastinum (or paravertebral compartment) is a potential space along the paravertebral sulci. It is conceptually considered a portion of the inferior mediastinum, and separated from the middle mediastinal compartment and the remainder of the extrapleural intrathoracic cavity by arbitrary lines.
Where is the posterior mediastinum located?
The Posterior Mediastinum is an irregular triangular space running parallel with the vertebral column; it is bounded in front by the pericardium above, and by the posterior surface of the diaphragm below, behind by the vertebral column from the lower border of the fourth to the twelfth thoracic vertebra, and on either …
What are the mediastinal structures?
The mediastinum is a division of the thoracic cavity; it contains the heart, thymus gland, portions of the esophagus and trachea, and other structures. For clinical purposes it is traditionally divided into the anterior, middle, posterior, and superior regions.
Which of these is in the posterior mediastinum?
The contents of the posterior mediastinum include the esophagus with the esophageal plexus, thoracic aorta, azygos system of veins, thoracic duct, lymph nodes, and thoracic splanchnic nerves.
What is a mediastinal?
Listen to pronunciation. (MEE-dee-uh-STY-num) The area between the lungs. The organs in this area include the heart and its large blood vessels, the trachea, the esophagus, the thymus, and lymph nodes but not the lungs.
What would cause a mediastinal mass?
A: Depending on etiology, a mediastinal tumor can be caused by an enlarged lymph node, or a gland such as the thymus, thyroid, or parathyroid. It can also be caused by a cyst originating from the pericardium (the sac that houses the heart), the bronchus, or the esophagus.
What is mediastinum and its types?
The mediastinum is an area found in the midline of the thoracic cavity, that is surrounded by the left and right pleural sacs. It is divided into the superior and inferior mediastinum, of which the latter is larger. The inferior mediastinum is further divided into the anterior, middle and posterior mediastinum.
What is middle mediastinum?
The middle mediastinum is an artificial space of the mediastinum divided from the remainder of the extra-pleural intrathoracic cavity by arbitrary lines. It forms the largest component of the inferior mediastinum.
Where are the mediastinal lymph nodes?
Mediastinal lymph nodes are organs located in the chest cavity.
What is normal size of mediastinal lymph nodes?
The average lymph node size in the four zones in the cadavers was 12.6 X 8.3 mm (length X width). Using contiguous 10-mm CT scans, lymph nodes were detected in 65%-95% of patients, depending on the zone studied.
What are the borders of the inferior mediastinum?
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 – posterior to the body of the sternum and anterior to the pericardium Middle mediastinum – bounded by the pericardium,…
Where does the anterior mediastinum terminate in the body?
Superior mediastinum – extends upwards, terminating at the superior thoracic aperture. Inferior mediastinum – extends downwards, terminating at the diaphragm. It is further subdivided into the anterior mediastinum, middle mediastinum and posterior mediastinum.
Where is the mediastinum located in the thoracic cavity?
Mediastinum. The mediastinum is an area found in the midline of the thoracic cavity , that is surrounded by the left and right pleural sacs. It is divided into the superior and inferior mediastinum, of which the latter is larger. The inferior mediastinum is further divided into the anterior, middle and posterior mediastinum.
Where does lymphatic drainage take place in the posterior mediastinum?
While located in the posterior mediastinum, the thoracic duct receives lymphatic drainage from the intercostal spaces and neighbouring anatomical structures through a number of branches. Azygos System of Veins This venous network drains blood from the body walls and mediastinal viscera and empties into the superior vena cava.