middle mediastinum

The middle mediastinum is an artificial space of the mediastinum divided from the remainder of the extra-pleural intrathoracic cavity by arbitrary lines. It forms the largest component of the inferior mediastinum.

Gross anatomy

Relations

• superiorly: superior mediastinum, divided by the thoracic plane
• anteriorly: anterior mediastinum
• posteriorly: posterior mediastinum

Contents

• pericardium
• heart
• great vessels joining the heart
  • ascending aorta
  • pulmonary trunk
    • right pulmonary artery
    • left pulmonary artery
  •   the lower half of the superior vena cava
• tracheal bifurcation and both main bronchi
• phrenic nerves
• cardiac plexus
• tracheobronchial lymph nodes

Related pathology

• malignancy
• lymphadenopathy
• hiatus hernia
• thoracic aortic aneurysm
• thyroid mass
• bronchogenic cysts
• esophageal duplication cysts

Siehe auch:

• Mediastinum
• vorderes Mediastinum
• hinteres Mediastinum
• oberes Mediastinum
• Tumoren des mittleren Mediastinums