The mediastinum is the region between the pulmonary cavities. It is covered by the mediastinal pleura and extends from the thoracic inlet superiorly to the diaphragm inferiorly.
Mediastinal regions
| Region | Contents |
|---|---|
| Superior mediastinum | • Superior vena cava |
| • Brachiocephalic veins | |
| • Arch of aorta | |
| • Thoracic duct | |
| • Trachea | |
| • Oesophagus | |
| • Thymus | |
| • Vagus nerve | |
| • Left recurrent laryngeal nerve | |
| • Phrenic nerve | |
| Anterior mediastinum | • Thymic remnants |
| • Lymph nodes | |
| • Fat | |
| Middle mediastinum | • Pericardium |
| • Heart | |
| • Aortic root | |
| • Arch of azygos vein | |
| • Main bronchi | |
| Posterior mediastinum | • Oesophagus |
| • Thoracic aorta | |
| • Azygos vein | |
| • Thoracic duct | |
| • Vagus nerve | |
| • Sympathetic nerve trunks | |
| • Splanchnic nerves |
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The commonest causes of an anterior mediastinum mass can be remembered by the 4 T's: teratoma, terrible lymphadenopathy, thymic mass and thyroid mass
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