11 Questions
What is the superior boundary of the superior mediastinum?
Thoracic inlet
What is the posterior boundary of the superior mediastinum?
Upper 4 thoracic vertebrae
Which of the following structures is not found in the superior mediastinum?
Diaphragm
What is the inferior boundary of the superior mediastinum?
Plane between sternal angle and lower border of T4
What is the lateral boundary of the superior mediastinum?
Mediastinal pleura
Which structure is closely related to the right vagus nerve on its right side?
Trachea
What is the origin of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve?
Vagus nerve
On which side of the trachea do the Yagr nerves lie?
Right
Which nerve descends on the right side of the inferior vena cava?
Phrenic nerve
Which artery do the phrenic nerves cross?
Subclavian artery
What is the location of the thoracic duct in relation to the esophagus?
Behind the esophagus
Study Notes
Superior Mediastinum
- Boundaries: anteriorly - manubrium sterni, posteriorly - upper 4 thoracic vertebrae, superiorly - thoracic inlet, inferiorly - plane between sternal angle and lower border of T4
- Lateral boundaries: mediastinal pleura and mediastinal surface of the lung
Arteries in Superior Mediastinum
- Pulmonary trunk
- 3 branches of aortic arch: brachiocephalic, left common carotid, and left subclavian arteries
Nerves in Superior Mediastinum
- Vagus nerves: right vagus nerve lies on the right side of the trachea, separated from it by the right lymph node and azygos vein
- Phrenic nerves: right phrenic nerve descends on the right side of the superior vena cava, left phrenic nerve descends on the left side of the aortic arch
- Left recurrent laryngeal nerve: arises from the left vagus nerve and curves around the lower aspect of the aortic arch
Tubes in Superior Mediastinum
- Trachea: descends in the midline, deviating to the right at the level of the T4 vertebra, closely related to the right vagus nerve and esophagus
- Esophagus: descends behind the trachea in front of the vertebral column
- Thoracic duct: ascends behind the right border of the esophagus
Test your knowledge of the thoracic cavity, including its boundaries, nerves, lymph nodes, and tubes. This quiz covers the superior mediastinum, manubrium sterni, thoracic vertebrae, and more. Identify the different structures and their relationships in the thoracic cavity.
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