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The mediastinum Icthe contents of the mediastinum

Superior mediastinum
Great vessels
Trachea
Oesophagus
Thymus, etc. Middle mediastinum
Heart and roots of great vessels
Anterior mediastinum
Pericardium
Thymus

Posterior mediastinum
Oesophagus
Descending thoracic aorta
Thoracic duct
Fig.3.1 Azygos and hemiazygos veins
The subdivisions of the mediastinum Sympathetic trunk, etc.
and their principal contents

Oesophagus
Trachea
Right Jugular lymph trunks
vagus Recurrent
laryngeal nerve
Right lymph duct
Thoracic duct
Thoracic duct
Left vagus
Subclavian lymph trunk
Azygos Bronchomediastinal
Anterior
vein lymph trunk
pulmonary
plexus Superior vena cava
From chest wall (right)
Oesophageal
plexus From chest wall (left)
Diaphragm
Diaphragm Anterior L1
vagal trunk Cisterna chyli
L2
Oesophageal From kidneys and
opening (T10) abdominal wall
From abdominal
Aortic opening
viscera
Right (T12)
crus
From lower limbs
Left crus
Fig.3.2
The course and principal relations of the oesophagus. Fig.3.3
Note that it passes through the right crus of the The thoracic duct and its areas of drainage.
diaphragm The right lymph duct is also shown

10 Thorax