Anatomy - Posterior Mediastinum

Front 1

what are the elements of the posterior mediastinum?

Back 1

descending thoracic aorta, azygos venous system, esophagus, thoracic duct, sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves

Front 2

in which direction does the aortic arch curve?

Back 2

from right to left

Front 3

does the aorta run along the right or left side of the vertebrae?

Back 3

slightly to the left

Front 4

what are 6 branches of the aorta that leave in the posterior mediastinum?

Back 4

posterior intercostal arteries, superior intercostal arteries, bronchial arteries, esophageal arteries, mediastinal arteries, and superior phrenic arteries

Front 5

where does the azygos system of veins begin?

Back 5

in the abdomen

Front 6

which part of the azygos veinous system is on the right side of the vertebrae? The left side?

Back 6

azygos vein; hemiazygos and accessory hemiazygos

Front 7

is the azygos system the same in every body?

Back 7

no, it is HIGHLY variable

Front 8

does the azygos system pass anterior of posterior to the diaphragm?

Back 8

posterior

Front 9

what happens to the azygos vein when it reaches the superior thoracic area?

Back 9

it curves anteriorly into the superior vena cava

Front 10

which veins does the azygos vein receive?

Back 10

several posterior intercostal veins and the superior intercostal vein

Front 11

of which vein is the superior intercostal vein a tributary?

Back 11

upper thoracic posterior intercostal veins

Front 12

is the hemiazygos inferior or superior to the accessory hemiazygos?

Back 12

inferior

Front 13

which vein does the accessory hemiazygos vein drain?

Back 13

mid-thoracic posteior intercostal veins

Front 14

which vein drains the upper posterior intercostal veins?

Back 14

superior intercostal vein

Front 15

where does the esophagus begin? Where does it pierce the diaphragm?

Back 15

pharynx; esophageal hiatus

Front 16

where does the esophagus terminate?

Back 16

cardia of the stomach

Front 17

is the esophagus normally to the right or left of the midline?

Back 17

right

Front 18

is the esophagus to the right of left of the midline when it pierces the diaphragm?

Back 18

left

Front 19

where does the esophagus narrow?

Back 19

at the beginning, end, where it is distorted by aorta and left atrium

Front 20

by which arteries it the esophagus supplied with blood?

Back 20

aorta and posterior intercostal arteries

Front 21

is the esophageal plexus predominantly parasympathetic or sympathetic fibers?

Back 21

both

Front 22

from which nerve do the parasympathetic fibers on the esophageal plexus arise?

Back 22

vagus nerve

Front 23

at the inferior border of the esophageal plexus, what two nerves emerge?

Back 23

anterior and posterior vagal trunks

Front 24

are parasympathetic synapses near to or far from the esophagus?

Back 24

near

Front 25

sympathetic nerves increase or decrease esophageal motility and secretions? Parasympathetic?

Back 25

decrease; increase

Front 26

the plexi in the wall of the esophagus are in charge of intrinsic or reflex activity?

Back 26

both

Front 27

what is the name for the main duct which drains lymph from the abdomen and lower part of the body?

Back 27

thoracic duct

Front 28

where does the thoracic duct begin?

Back 28

in the cisterna chyle near the aorta in the abdomen

Front 29

where does the thoracic duct cross the diaphragm? Where does it run along the vertebral column?

Back 29

at the aortic hiatus; between the aorta and the azygos vein

Front 30

which part of the body does the thoracic duct not cover?

Back 30

upper right quadrant

Front 31

where does the thoracic duct drain lymph?

Back 31

junction of the left internal jugular vein and the subclavian vein

Front 32

which type of sections does a CAT scan provide?

Back 32

axial

Front 33

which type of radiation is used in a CAT scan?

Back 33

normal x-rays

Front 34

what is the term used to describe the dimensionality of the CAT scan?

Back 34

quasi 2 dimensional

Front 35

anterior mediastinum is posterior to which border? It is anterior to which structure?

Back 35

sternal angle; heart

Front 36

how do posterior intercostal arteries on the right side of the rib cage arise from the aorta?

Back 36

they must cross the vertebrae

Front 37

at which vertebral level is the aortic hiatus? Esophageal hiatus?

Back 37

T12; T10

Front 38

what is a portal cable shunt?

Back 38

when the azygos vein system acts as a shunt to get blood around blocked veins in abdomen

Front 39

the thoracic duct is located between which two structures?

Back 39

azygos and esophagus

Front 40

the thoracic duct starts on the _____ side of the vertebrae and moves to the ______ side.

Back 40

right; left

Front 41

if you have a hard lymph node above the clavicle on the right side, what might you suspect? On the left side?

Back 41

lung cancer; large area to deal with -- could have metastasized from anywhere in lower half of body

Front 42

from superior to inferior, what is the order of intercostal arteries, nerves, and veins?

Back 42

vein, artery, nerve (VAN)

Front 43

where is sympathetic chain located compared to vertebrae? Which nerve is anterior to sympathetic chain?

Back 43

anterolateral; greater splanchnic nerve

Front 44

what is the difference between a bone window and a soft tissue window for CAT scans?

Back 44

bone window highlights bones while a soft tissue window highlights soft tissue