Mediastinum: The thoracic mediastinum is the compartment

The thoracic mediastinum is the compartment that runs the length of the thoracic cavity between the pleural sacs of the lungs. This compartment extends longitudinally from the thoracic inlet to the superior surface of the diaphragm. Although there are no physical barriers between compartments other than the pericardium, the mediastinum is typically discussed based on subdivisions. The four-compartment model divides the mediastinum into the superior, anterior, middle, and posterior portions ... We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. The mediastinum is the space between the right and left lungs in the chest. The mediastinum is in the middle of the chest extending from the spine to the front of the chest and the breast bone (sternum). We can see the mediastinum on all imaging studies which cover the chest. What structures does the mediastinum contain? The mediastinum contains the heart and great vessels that arise from it. The esophagus which goes from the throat to the stomach. The trachea or windpipe. The mediastinum ... The mediastinum is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity, located between the two pleural sacs that enclose the lungs. It serves as a vital transit region that houses several of the body’s most critical organs, vessels, and nerves. The mediastinum plays a central role in cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and lymphatic systems.