The document discusses the mediastinum, which is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity located between the lungs. It is divided into superior, anterior, middle and posterior mediastinum. The superior mediastinum contains structures such as the thymus gland, great vessels like the superior vena cava and aorta, and nerves like the vagus nerve. The anterior mediastinum contains the thymus gland in children and structures related to the heart. The middle mediastinum contains the heart enclosed in the pericardium. The posterior mediastinum contains the esophagus and descending aorta along with nerves and lymph nodes. Mediastinitis is an infection of the mediastinum which can

1. Mediastinum
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2. TS: Mediastinum
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3. CS: Mediastinum
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4. Mediastinum: Lateral view
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5. Divisions of Mediastinum
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7. • Parts of mediastnum on a chest xray
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8. Superior Mediastinum
Boundaries
Ant: Manubrium sterni
Post: T-1 to T-4
Sides: Mediastinal pleura
Sup: Plane of thoracic inlet
Inf: Imaginary line joining
sternal angle and lower
border T-4
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9. Superior Mediastinum
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10. SUP & MIDDLE MEDIASTINUMSUP & MIDDLE MEDIASTINUM
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11. Superior Mediastinum: Contents:
Muscles:
• Sternohyoid
• Sternothyroid
• Longus colli
Thymus: (in childhood &
puberty)
Veins:
• SVC
• Lt & Rt brachiocephalic
veins,
• Lt Sup Intercostal vein
Arteries:
• Arch of Aorta
• Brachiocepalic artery
• Lt Common carotid
• Lt subclavian artery
Trachea & Esophagus
Nerves:
• Vagus
• Phrenic
• Cardiac &
• Lt recurrent laryngeal
nerve (b/w trachea &
oesophagus)
Thoracic Duct
Lymph nodes:
• Brachiocephalic,
• Tracheobronchial,
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12. SECTION at T-4
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13. Anterior Mediastinum-(narrowest)
Boundaries
Ant: Body of sternum
Post: Pericardium
Sides: Mediastinal pleura
Sup: Imaginary plane
Inf: Diaphragm
Contents
• Thymus (in children)
• Sternopericardial lig.
• Internal thoracic artery &
branches
• Lymphatics & Lymph nodes
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14. Middle Mediastinum: Boundaries
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15. Middle Mediastinum
Contents:
Heart enclosed in pericardium
Arteries: Ascending Aorta,
Pulmonary trunk with its Lt &
Rt branches
Veins: SVC, Termination of Azygos,
Pulmonary veins
Nerves: Phrenic, Deep cardiac plexus
Bifurcation of Trachea with
two principal bronchi
Tracheobronchial lymph nodes
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16. Posterior Mediastinum
Boundaries:
Ant. Pericardium, Bifurcation of
trachea
Post. T5 to T12
sup. Transverse thor plane
Inf. diaphragm
Sides: Mediastinal pleura
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18. Posterior Mediastinum
Contents:
Oesophagus
Arteries
• Descending Aorta with its
brs
Veins
• Azygos
• Hemizygos
• Accessory hemizygos
Nerves:
• Vagus
• Splanchnic nerves
Thoracic duct
lymph nodes
• Posterior mediastinal
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19. Applied Anatomy:Applied Anatomy:
Mediastinitis
From infections of neck
Pus under prevertebral fascia reachPus under prevertebral fascia reach
till T4 only, not beyond it, as PV fasciatill T4 only, not beyond it, as PV fascia
is attached hereis attached here
Pus b/w pretracheal and prevertebralPus b/w pretracheal and prevertebral
fascia seeps through sup.fascia seeps through sup.
Mediastinum to reach post.Mediastinum to reach post.
MediastinumMediastinum
In front of pretracheal fascia to antIn front of pretracheal fascia to ant
mediastinummediastinum
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21.  Mediastinal syndrome-
•Engorgment of veins
•Dyspnea
•Dysphagia
•Hoarseness of voice
Mediastinal widening
Mediasinal shift
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23. THANK YOU
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