Superior mediastinum Information & Superior mediastinum Links at HealthHaven.com

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.

[edit] Boundaries

It is bounded:

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

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

[edit] See also

mediastinum

[edit] 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 As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.

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