Mediastinum and Respiratory Organs Quiz

Mediastinum is the interpleural space in the thorax, bordered by pleural cavities, sternum, and vertebral column.
Divided into superior and three inferior divisions: anterior, middle, and posterior mediastinum.

Bounded superiorly by the first rib and inferiorly from the sternal angle to the intervertebral disk of T4-T5.
Contains major structures: superior vena cava, brachiocephalic veins, arch of the aorta, thoracic duct, trachea, esophagus, vagus nerve, left recurrent laryngeal nerve, and phrenic nerve.
Houses the thymus, essential for T-lymphocyte development and secreting thymic hormones, beginning involution post-puberty.

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

Situated between the right and left pleural cavities.
Includes the heart, pericardium, phrenic nerves, great vessels' roots (aorta, pulmonary arteries/veins, venae cavae), arch of the azygos vein, and main bronchi.

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

Can be compressed by aortic arch aneurysms, goiter, or thyroid tumors.
The carina is a structure at the last tracheal ring level, important for separating the left main bronchus, sensitive for triggering cough reflex.
Right main bronchus is shorter, wider, and more vertical than the left, lodging structures like foreign bodies more easily.
Right main bronchus runs under the arch of the azygos vein and divides into lobar bronchi (upper, middle, inferior) and 10 segmental bronchi.
The right upper lobe bronchus is referred to as eparterial bronchus due to its position above the pulmonary artery.