Thorax III – Superior Mediastinum
Station 1: Boundaries and Vessels of the Superior Medastinum
The superior mediastinum has five boundaries:
Superiorly: Manubrium, 1st thoracic verterbrae, 1st ribs
Posteriorly: Thoracic vertebrae 1-4
Anteriorly: Manubrium of sternum
Lateral: Lungs and mediastinal pleura
Inferiorly: Transverse thoracic plane (between T4/T5 intervertebral discs and sternal
angle, separates superior mediastinum from inferior.
Review of Vasculature of Superior Medastinum:
The following features lie within the superior mediastinum, the image below will help
with orientation, the green line gives the level of the angle of Louis (hence boundary
between superior and inferior mediastinum).
,
Station 1: Boundaries and Vessels of the Superior Medastinum
The superior mediastinum has five boundaries:
Superiorly: Manubrium, 1st thoracic verterbrae, 1st ribs
Posteriorly: Thoracic vertebrae 1-4
Anteriorly: Manubrium of sternum
Lateral: Lungs and mediastinal pleura
Inferiorly: Transverse thoracic plane (between T4/T5 intervertebral discs and sternal
angle, separates superior mediastinum from inferior.
Review of Vasculature of Superior Medastinum:
The following features lie within the superior mediastinum, the image below will help
with orientation, the green line gives the level of the angle of Louis (hence boundary
between superior and inferior mediastinum).
,
