Anterior mediastinum
Encyclopedia
The anterior mediastinum exists only on the left side where the left pleura diverges from the mid-sternal line.
It is narrow, above, but widens out a little below.
It is narrow, above, but widens out a little below.
Boundaries
It is bounded:- in front by the sternum
- laterally by the pleurae
- posteriorly by the pericardiumPericardiumThe pericardium is a double-walled sac that contains the heart and the roots of the great vessels.-Layers:...
- anteriorly by the left Transversus thoracis and the fifth, sixth, and seventh left costal cartilagesCostal cartilagesThe costal cartilages are bars of hyaline cartilage which serve to prolong the ribs forward and contribute very materially to the elasticity of the walls of the thorax.-Differences from 1-12:...
Contents
It contains:- a quantity of loose areolar tissue
- some lymphatic vessels which ascend from the convex surface of the liverLiverThe liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...
- two or three anterior mediastinal lymph nodes
- the small mediastinal branches of the internal mammary artery
- thymus (in infants and young children)