Mediastinum

Mediastinum

The mediastinum is an undelineated group of structures in the thorax, surrounded by loose connective tissue. It is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity. It contains the heart, the great vessels of the heart, esophagus, trachea, phrenic and cardiac nerves, thoracic duct, thymus, and lymph nodes of the central chest.

Anatomy

The mediastinum lies within the thorax and is enclosed on the right and left by pleurae. It is surrounded by the chest wall in front, the lungs to the sides and the spine at the back. It extends from the sternum in front to the vertebral column behind, and contains all the organs of the thorax except the lungs. It can be divided into an upper and lower part:

• The superior mediastinum starts at the superior thoracic aperture and ends at the plane from the sternal angle to the vertebra T4-T5.
• The inferior mediastinum from this plane to the diaphragm. In the inferior mediastinum, there are three divisions: the anterior, middle, and posterior mediastinum.

Clinical significance

Diseases of the mediastinum are uncommon but can be serious. They include mediastinitis, mediastinal tumors, and abnormalities of the structures contained in the mediastinum.

See also

• Thorax
• Mediastinal tumor
• Mediastinitis

References

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External links

• Merck Manual - Mediastinum

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