Mediastinum boundaries
Between sternum, pleural cavities, vertebral column.
Mediastinum contents
Thymus, heart, vessels, trachea, esophagus, nerves, lymph nodes.
Superior vs inferior mediastinum
Separated by sternal angle to T4 plane.
Inferior mediastinum subdivisions
Middle, anterior, posterior parts.
Pleura layers
Parietal lining thoracic wall; visceral covers lungs.
Regional parietal pleura
Cervical, costal, diaphragmatic, mediastinal.
Pleural nerve supply
Parietal: intercostal and phrenic nerves; visceral: autonomic nerves.
Trachea course
From larynx at cricoid to bifurcation at sternal angle.
Trachea structure
Hyaline cartilage rings, trachealis muscle posteriorly.
Trachea blood supply
Inferior thyroid and bronchial arteries.
Bronchi branching
Dichotomous into terminal and respiratory bronchioles.
Principal bronchus differences
Right: wider, shorter, vertical; Left: narrower, longer, horizontal.
Test your knowledge with 12 questions on Thoracic Mediastinum and Bronchial Anatomy.
1. Which sensation is the visceral pleura primarily able to detect?
2. What plane separates the superior mediastinum from the inferior mediastinum?
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