10 Questions
What structures can be found in the superior mediastinum?
Thymus, large vessels, trachea
What structures are found in the posterior part of the inferior mediastinum?
Esophagus and sympathetic trunk
Which nerves are associated with the left side of the mediastinum?
Left vagus nerve and left recurrent laryngeal nerve
Which vessels are present in the inferior mediastinum?
Inferior vena cava, thoracic aorta, arch of azygos vein
Which nerves supply the lungs?
Sympathetic nerves and vagus nerves
Which lymphatics are present in the superior mediastinum?
Lymphatic vessels and thoracic duct
What veins are associated with the right side of the mediastinum?
Azygos vein and inferior vena cava
What arteries are associated with the left side of the mediastinum?
Left subclavian artery and pericardiacophrenic artery
What structures are found in the middle part of the inferior mediastinum?
Heart and great vessels
Which arteries are present in the superior mediastinum?
Brachiocephalic artery and superior intercostal artery
Study Notes
Veins of the Lungs
- Bronchial veins: right vein drains to azygos, left bronchial vein drains to accessory hemiazygos vein
- Pulmonary veins: drain more peripheral parts and distal roots of the lung
Lymphatics of the Lungs
- Originate in superficial and deep plexuses
- Mediastinal lymph nodes that drain the lung are named according to position
- Pulmonary nodes, bronchopulmonary nodes, carinal nodes, tracheobronchial nodes, and right and left paratracheal nodes
- Lymph vessels of the lungs are in superficial and deep plexuses
- Superficial plexus lies beneath the visceral pleura and drains surface of the lungs towards the hilum
- Deep lymphatic plexus travels along the bronchi and pulmonary nodes on the hilum
Nerve Supply of the Lungs
- Arise from pulmonary plexus formed from branches of the sympathetic trunks and receive parasympathetic fibers from vagus nerve (CN X)
- Sympathetic efferent: vasoconstriction, bronchodilation
- Parasympathetic efferent: vasodilation, bronchoconstriction, increased glandular secretion
Bronchopulmonary Segments
- Each lobe is divided into several bronchopulmonary segments
- Each segment is supplied by segmental bronchus, segmental artery, and segmental vein
- Each segment is named for its supplying bronchus
Vasculature of the Lungs and Pleura
- Pulmonary arteries: arise from pulmonary trunk, bifurcate in the concavity of the aortic arch
- Right pulmonary artery: longer than the left, passes across the midline below the carina, and comes to lie anterior to the right main bronchus
- Left pulmonary artery: spirals over the superior aspect of the left main bronchus to reach its posterior surface
- Pulmonary arteries supply only the alveoli
- Pulmonary veins: do not follow the bronchial pattern, tend to run in intersegmental septa
- Bronchial arteries: supply the bronchi, visceral pleura, and connective tissues of the lungs
- Bronchial veins: form two distinct systems, deep and superficial
Mediastinum
- The mediastinum is all of the organs between the left and right mediastinal pleurae
- Boundaries: superior - thoracic inlet and root of the neck, inferior - diaphragm, anterior - sternum, posterior - 12 thoracic vertebrae
- Divisions: superior mediastinum, inferior mediastinum, and subdivisions into anterior, middle, and posterior regions
Test your knowledge on the anatomy of veins and lymphatics in the lungs. Explore the drainage patterns of bronchial veins and pulmonary veins, as well as the origin and drainage pathways of lymphatics in the lung.
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