middle mediastinum (anatomy)
Last reviewed 01/2018
The middle mediastinum is the region bounded by:
- anteriorly: the anterior margin of the pericardium
- posteriorly: the posterior border of the fibrous pericardium
- superiorly: an arbitrary plane passing horizontally and posteriorly from the manubriosternal joint to the inferior border of the T4 vertebra
- inferiorly: diaphragm
- laterally: mediastinal pleura overlying the lungs
The key structures within the middle mediastinum are the:
- heart
- great vessels running to and from heart - small sections of:
- ascending aorta
- superior vena cava
- inferior vena cava
- pulmonary trunk
- pulmonary veins
- pericardium surrounding heart
- lung roots
- phrenic nerves - the sections overlying the pericardium