Superior mediastinum

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Superior mediastinum
Mediastinum
Transverse section through the upper margin of the second thoracic vertebra.
Latin	mediastinum superius
Gray's	subject #239 1090
Dorlands/Elsevier	m_06/12518993

The superior mediastinum is that portion of the interpleural space which lies between the manubrium sterni in front, and the upper thoracic vertebrae behind.

It is bounded below by a slightly oblique plane passing backward from the junction of the manubrium and body of the sternum to the lower part of the body of the fourth thoracic vertebra, and laterally by the pleurae.

[edit] Contents

• muscles
  • origins of the Sternohyoidei and Sternothyreoidei
  • lower ends of the Longi colli
• arteries
  • aortic arch
  • brachiocephalic artery
  • thoracic portions of the left common carotid and the left subclavian
• veins
  • innominate veins and
  • upper half of the superior vena cava
  • left highest intercostal vein
• nerves
  • vagus nerve
  • cardiac nerve
  • phrenic nerve
  • left recurrent nerve
• trachea
• esophagus
• thoracic duct
• remains of the thymus
• some lymph glands

[edit] See also

• mediastinum

[edit] External links

• Norman/Georgetown thoraxlesson6 - "Superior Mediastinum"
• GPnotebook -2046427076

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.