Posterior mediastinum

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The posterior mediastinum is an irregular triangular space running parallel with the vertebral column.

[edit] Boundaries

It is bounded:

• in front: by the pericardium above, and by the posterior surface of the diaphragm below.
• behind: by the vertebral column from the lower border of the fourth to the twelfth thoracic vertebra.
• on either side: by the mediastinal pleura .

[edit] Content

• artery
  • thoracic part of the descending aorta
• veins
• azygos vein
• the hemiazygos vein and the accessory hemiazygos vein
• nerves
  • vagus nerve
  • splanchnic nerves
• esophagus
• thoracic duct
• some lymph glands

[edit] See also

• mediastinum

[edit] External links

• Norman/Georgetown thoraxlesson5 - "Posterior Mediastinum"
• GPnotebook 2013659195
• Lab Manual - umich.edu

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.

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