This session explains the arrangement of the structures in the superior mediastinum based on sketches that trace the structures in steps and is accompanied by a transverse section at the level of the T2/T3 vertebra.

00:00 Intro
00:10 Step 1 The esophagus
01:18 Thoracic duct
02:01 Step 2 – The trachea
04:02 Step 3 – Pulmonary trunk
05:54 Step 4 – The aorta
07:47 Branches of the arch of the aorta
08:58 Ligamentum arteriosum
09:16 The right and left vagus nerves and the left recurrent laryngeal nerve
11:59 The azygos vein
12:43 Step 5 – The veins: tributaries of the superior vena cava
14:28 Relation of the great vessels to the transverse pericardial sinus
14:48 The venous angle
15:04 Left superior intercostal vein
15:19 The phrenic nerves
16:22 The thymus
16:45 The sympathetic trunks

After completion of this video session, it is expected that you will be able to:
Arrange the structures located in the superior mediastinum in a simplified sketch so that the structures appear in sequential layers from posterior to anterior. A corresponding horizontal section at the lower border of T2 vertebra is also used to draw the same structures simultaneously on the section.

Describe the relations of the arch of aorta and its branches, location of the ligamentum arteriosum, superior vena cava and tributaries (right and left brachiocephalic veins), azygos arch in relation to the right lung root, thoracic duct, phrenic and vagus nerves (left recurrent laryngeal nerve), pulmonary trunk and its branches, left superior intercostal vein, trachea, tracheobronchial lymph nodes, cardia, pulmonary, and esophageal plexuses, esophagus, and thymus.

Related video: Superior mediastinum, dissection    • Superior mediastinum  dissection  

Presented and edited by Dr. Akram Jaffar (PhD).

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