1. superior and inferior mediastinum is divided by?

Superior Mediastinum

1. contents (anterior to posterior)

1.)  anterior-1.thymus-(degenerates and is lost during adulthood

2. left and right brachiocephalic veins- returning blood to the heart (they are asymetrical and the form the unit to form the superior vena cava, inferiorly and to the right- this is why its asymmetrical bc the SVC is on the right)

3.Left brachiocephalic vein crosses anterior to the three branches of the aortic arch. Brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, left subclavian artery , and the arch of the aorta are deep to the left brachiocephalic vein

4.(behind the heart) Pulminary artery and veins?

5. carina- bifurcation of trachea

6. left recurrent laryngeal nerve

7. esophagus

8. Aorta- (not a midline structure here, to the left)

9. azygos, typically runs on the right side of the vertebrae

10. thoracic duct

Middle mediastinum

1. contains

2. location

-heart and pericardium

2. middle of the inferior mediastinum

Anterior Mediastinum

1. contains

2. location

1. a lot of fat and connective tissue here, some of the inferior thymus

2. anterior portion of the inferior mediastinum

1. Aorta and esophagus relationship as they go inferior

2.where does the inferior vena cava pass through the diaphram

3. esophageal hiatus where the esophagus passes through the diaphram

4. Aortic hiatus where the aorta passes through the diaphram

1. esophogus crosses the Aorta anteriorly

esophogus shifts left and the Aorta shifts to the midline

2. T8 level

3. T10

4. T12