What veins are in the superior mediastinum?
The superior vena cava also resides within the superior mediastinum. Its major tributaries include the two brachiocephalic veins, the left superior intercostal vein, and the azygous vein.
What does the superior mediastinum contain?
The superior mediastinum contains thyroid gland, aortic arch and great vessels, proximal portions of the vagus, phrenic, and recurrent laryngeal nerves, esophagus, trachea, thoracic duct, and lymph nodes.
What passes through the superior thoracic aperture?
The right and left subclavian arteries and veins pass through the superior thoracic aperture. The subclavian artery and lower (inferior) trunk of the brachial plexus course directly across the first rib between the insertions of the anterior and middle scalene muscles and are thought to be vulnerable in this region.
What are mediastinal arteries?
Small branches of the thoracic aorta that supply nerves, pleura, lymph nodes and other tissue in the posterior mediastinum.
Where is the right superior mediastinum?
The superior mediastinum is a space bounded anteriorly by the manubrium of the sternum, and posteriorly by the bodies of T1-T4 vertebrae. Its superior border is an oblique plane extending from the jugular notch of the manubrium to the superior border of T1 vertebra.
What separates inferior and superior mediastinum?
The transverse thoracic plane, thoracic plane, plane of Louis or plane of Ludwig is an important anatomical plane at the level of the sternal angle and the T4/T5 intervertebral disc. It serves as an imaginary boundary that separates the superior and inferior mediastinum.
What blood vessels pass through the thoracic inlet?
Function
- arteries. left and right common carotid arteries. left subclavian arteries.
- veins. internal jugular veins. brachiocephalic veins. subclavian veins.
Which pulmonary vessel is the most superior?
Medial view of the lungs in a cadaver: Both pulmonary blood vessels are located anterior to the bronchus. The pulmonary artery is superior to the pulmonary vein and has firmer, thicker walls compared to the latter.
Where is your superior mediastinum?
The superior mediastinum is the region sandwiched between the pleural sac on each side above an imaginary line from the angle of Louis in front to the fourth/fifth thoracic intervertebral disc behind.
What separates the superior and inferior mediastinum?