Superior mediastinum

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

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

Boundaries

It is bounded:

• superiorly by the thoracic inlet, the upper opening of the thorax
• inferiorly by the transverse thoracic plane, a slightly oblique plane passing posteriorly from the junction of the manubrium and body of the sternum (sternal angle of Louis) to the junction of the 4th and 5th thoracic vertebra (see also thoracic plane)
• laterally by the pleurae
• anteriorly by the manubrium of the sternum
• posteriorly by the first four vertebral bodies

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
  • brachiocephalic 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 laryngeal nerve
• trachea
• esophagus
• thoracic duct
• remains of the thymus
• some lymph glands
• anterior longitudinal ligament

See also

• mediastinum

External links

• thoraxlesson6 at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) - "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 As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.