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.

Contents 1 Boundaries 2 Contents 3 See also 4 External links

[edit] Boundaries

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 (see also thoracic plane)
• 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
  • superficial and deep cardiac plexuses
  • phrenic nerve
  • left recurrent nerve
• trachea
• esophagus
• thoracic duct
• remains of the thymus
• some lymph glands
• anterior longitudinal ligament

[edit] See also

• mediastinum

[edit] External links

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

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 As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated.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.

v • d • e General anatomy of torso Thorax/ Thoracic cavity Mediastinum (Superior, Anterior, Middle, Posterior) • Superior thoracic aperture • Inferior thoracic aperture • Triangle of auscultation • Intercostal space • Thoracic plane • Thoracic wall/Thoracic cage - fascia (Pectoral fascia, Clavipectoral fascia, Thoracolumbar fascia) • Chest • Midsternal line Thoracic diaphragm openings (Caval opening, Esophageal hiatus, Aortic hiatus, Foramina of Morgagni) • Central tendon • Crus of diaphragm • arcuate ligaments (Lateral, Medial, Median) Abdomen/ Abdominal cavity Retroperitoneum • Paracolic gutters • Hepatobiliary triangle anterior abdominal wall (Arcuate line, Linea alba, Tendinous intersection, Linea semilunaris, McBurney's point, Traube's space, Inguinal triangle) • Inguinal canal (Deep inguinal ring, Superficial inguinal ring, Intercrural fibers, Crura of superficial inguinal ring) • Lumbar triangle • regions (Epigastrium, Hypochondrium, Umbilical region, Latus, Hypogastrium, Inguinal region) • planes (Transpyloric plane, Intertubercular plane, Midclavicular line) fascia (Fascia of Camper, Fascia of Scarpa, Transversalis fascia, Renal fascia, Rectus sheath) Pelvis/ Pelvic cavity Pelvic floor • Retropubic space fascia (Pelvic fascia, Superior fascia of diaphragm of pelvis, Inferior fascia of diaphragm of pelvis, Fascia of the Obturator internus, Tendinous arch, Iliac fascia, Iliopectineal fascia) Perineum Anal triangle (Ischioanal fossa, Pudendal canal, Anococcygeal raphe) Urogenital triangle (Superficial perineal pouch, Deep perineal pouch) Perineal body fascia (Dartos/fascia of perineum/superficial perineal fascia/Fascia of Colles, Perineal membrane/"Inferior fascia of UGD", "Superior fascia of UGD")