Page 58 - Clinical Anatomy

ECA1 7/18/06 6:31 PM Page 43

The mediastinum 43

Fig. 35◊The oesophagus and its relations.

vertebral fascia are behind it and on either side it is related to the common
carotid arteries and the recurrent laryngeal nerves. On the left side it is also
related to the subclavian artery and the terminal part of the thoracic duct
(Fig. 16).

Thoracic
The thoracic part traverses first the superior and then the posterior medi-
astinum. From being somewhat over to the left, it returns to the midline
at T5 then passes downwards, forwards and to the left to reach the
oesophageal opening in the diaphragm (T10). For convenience, the rela-
tions of this part are given in sequence from above downwards.
Anteriorly, it is crossed by the trachea, the left bronchus (which