Anatomy Bones and Muscles · MU Pleven

213. Anterior mediastinum.

Explains the mediastinum's boundaries and its two main divisions, the superior and inferior parts split at vertebra T4, then the clinical split into anterior and posterior mediastinum by the bronchopericardial membrane. Lists the contents of the superior, anterior inferior, middle inferior and posterior inferior mediastinum, with transverse sections at T2 and T6. Ends with clinical notes on mediastinitis and mediastinoscopy, followed by a short section on the pleural cavities.

Inside: 10 sections · 10 labelled pictures · 16 flashcards · 5 min

Topic 212 of 236 in the MU Pleven syllabus for Anatomy Bones and Muscles (Medicine, Year 2). The free AceMed note covers it in 10 sections, about 729 words (5 min of reading), with 16 flashcards.

In this note

  1. MEDIASTINUM
  2. Anatomical division
  3. Clinical division
  4. Superior mediastinum (content is described ventrodorsally)
  5. Anterior inferior mediastinum
  6. Middle inferior mediastinum
  7. Posterior inferior mediastinum
  8. Clinical notes
  9. PLEURAL CAVITIS
  10. Clinical Significance:

MEDIASTINUM

The mediastinum is space in the thoracic cavity located between the pleural cavities laterally, the diaphragm caudally and the superior thoracic aperture cranially. Anatomically, it is divided into a superior and inferior division by a transverse plane at the level of vertebra T4. The inferior mediastinum is then further divided into the anterior, middle and posterior inferior mediastinum by the pericardial sac. Clinically, the mediastinum is divided by the bronchopericardial membrane into the anterior and posterior division.

Anatomical division

  1. 1 Superior mediastinum (mediastinum superius)
  • bound cranially by the superior thoracic aperture, caudally by a transverse plane passing through vertebra T4, ventrally by the manubrium and dorsally by the vertebral column
  1. 2 Inferior mediastinum (mediastinum inferius)
  • bound cranially by a transverse plane at the level of vertebra T4 and caudally by the diaphragm
  • the inferior mediastinum is further divided by the pericardium into three subdivisions:
  1. 2.1 Anterior inferior mediastinum (mediastinum inferius anterius)
  • between the body of the sternum and the pericardium
  1. 2.2 Middle inferior mediastinum (mediastinum inferius medium)
  • bound by the pericardium and contains the heart
  1. 2.3 Posterior inferior mediastinum (mediastinum inferius posterius)
  • located between the dorsal aspect of the pericardium and the vertebral column

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