Mediastinum Anatomy Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is contained within the anterior mediastinum?

Thymus gland remnants and lymph nodes (correct)

Heart and pericardium

Pulmonary arteries and veins

Esophagus and thoracic duct

Which structures are found in the middle mediastinum?

Thymus gland and lymph nodes

Vagus nerves and sympathetic trunks

Phrenic nerves and roots of the great vessels (correct)

Esophagus and thoracic aorta

What is the location of the posterior mediastinum?

Between the ribs and sternum

Within the pericardial cavity

Anterior to the pericardium

Posterior to the pericardium between the mediastinal pleurae (correct)

Which of the following structures is NOT found in the posterior mediastinum?

Main bronchi Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes the middle mediastinum?

Lies between the right and left pleural cavities Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is found in the superior mediastinum?

Phrenic nerve Signup and view all the answers

What marks the superior boundary of the superior mediastinum?

Oblique plane of the first rib Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the location of the mediastinum?

Between the pleural cavities and lungs Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the thymus?

Development of T lymphocytes Signup and view all the answers

What is contained in the middle mediastinum?

Heart and great vessels Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve is associated with the left recurrent laryngeal nerve and located in the superior mediastinum?

Vagus nerve Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Definition

The mediastinum is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity positioned between the pleural cavities and lungs.

Boundaries

Laterally: Bounded by pleural cavities.
Anteriorly: Bounded by the sternum and transversus thoracis muscles.
Posteriorly: Bounded by the vertebral column.

Divisions

The mediastinum is divided into four sections: superior, anterior, middle, and posterior mediastinum.

Superior Mediastinum

Boundaries

Superior Boundary: Oblique plane of the first rib.
Inferior Boundary: Line from the sternal angle to the intervertebral disk between T4 and T5 vertebrae.

Major vessels include the superior vena cava and brachiocephalic veins.
Arterial structure includes the arch of the aorta.
Other contents are the thoracic duct, trachea, esophagus, vagus nerves, left recurrent laryngeal nerve, phrenic nerve, and thymus gland.

Thymus

A lymphoid organ crucial for T lymphocyte development and immunocompetence.
Secretes thymic hormones to support the maturation of T cells.
Undergoes involution after puberty.

Anterior Mediastinum

Located anterior to the pericardium and posterior to the sternum and transverse thoracic muscles.
Contains remnants of the thymus gland, lymph nodes, fat, and connective tissue.

Middle Mediastinum

Positioned between the right and left pleural cavities.
Houses the heart, pericardium, phrenic nerves, and the roots of major vessels such as the aorta, pulmonary arteries, veins, and venae cavae.
Contains the arch of the azygos vein and main bronchi.

Posterior Mediastinum

Located posterior to the pericardium and between the mediastinal pleurae.
Contains the esophagus, thoracic aorta, azygos vein, hemiazygos vein, thoracic duct, vagus nerves, sympathetic trunks, and splanchnic nerves.

Description

Test your knowledge about the mediastinum and its anatomical divisions. This quiz covers definitions, boundaries, and the four main sections of the mediastinum, helping you understand the thoracic anatomy better.