Inferior mediastinum
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Hacking C, Weerakkody Y, Kang O, Inferior mediastinum. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 13 Dec 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-49630
rID:
49630
Article created:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.
View Craig Hacking's current disclosures
Last revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.
View Craig Hacking's current disclosures
Revisions:
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Sections:
The inferior mediastinum is the box-shaped space in the mediastinum below the transthoracic plane of Ludwig between the wedge-shaped superior mediastinum above and the diaphragm and inferior thoracic aperture below. There are no physical structures that divide the superior and inferior mediastina therefore pathological processes can freely involve both spaces.
The inferior mediastinum is further compartmentalised by the fibrous pericardium into:
- anterior mediastinum: anterior to the fibrous pericardium
- middle mediastinum: within the fibrous pericardium
- posterior mediastinum: posterior to the fibrous pericardium and the posterior diaphragm (due to the downsloping course of the diaphragmatic domes)
Relations
- superiorly: transthoracic plane of Ludwig
- inferiorly: diaphragm and inferior thoracic aperture
- laterally: mediastinal pleura and lungs
- anteriorly: body of the sternum
- posteriorly: bodies of lower eight thoracic vertebrae, their transverse processes and associated ribs
References
- 1. Butler P, Mitchell A, Healy JC. Applied Radiological Anatomy. Cambridge University Press. (2012) ISBN:0521766664. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. Last's anatomy, regional and applied. Churchill Livingstone. ISBN:044304662X. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 3. Moore KL, Agur AMR, Dalley AF. Clinically oriented anatomy. LWW. ISBN:1451119453. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 4. Brett W. Carter, Marcelo F. Benveniste, Rachna Madan, Myrna C. Godoy, Patricia M. de Groot, Mylene T. Truong, Melissa L. Rosado-de-Christenson, Edith M. Marom. ITMIG Classification of Mediastinal Compartments and Multidisciplinary Approach to Mediastinal Masses. (2017) RadioGraphics. 37 (2): 413-436. doi:10.1148/rg.2017160095 - Pubmed
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