anterior right superior mediastinum

Last reviewed 01/2018

Within the superior mediastinum, the following structures are anterior and to the right of the arch of the aorta:

• right and left brachiocephalic veins, joining to form the
• superior vena cava
• internal thoracic artery
• thymus gland
• right phrenic nerve

Superiorly, these structures lie in relation to the slightly deeper common carotid trunk as it splits into the right common carotid artery and the right subclavian artery.