Mediastinum – Anatomy, Organs and Conditions
The mediastinum is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity, located between the two lungs. It contains the heart, major vessels, esophagus, and trachea.
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The mediastinum is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity, located between the two lungs. It contains the heart, major vessels, esophagus, and trachea.
What is the Mediastinum?
The mediastinum is an anatomical compartment located in the center of the chest cavity (thorax). It lies between the two lungs, behind the breastbone (sternum), and in front of the vertebral column. The mediastinum is bordered on each side by the pleural cavities (the spaces surrounding the lungs) and extends from the upper thoracic inlet down to the diaphragm.
Rather than being an empty space, the mediastinum is filled with connective tissue and contains numerous vital organs and structures essential for life.
Divisions of the Mediastinum
The mediastinum is classically divided into four regions:
- Superior mediastinum: Located above the pericardium. Contains the trachea, esophagus, major vessels (aortic arch, superior vena cava), and the thymus gland.
- Anterior mediastinum: A narrow space between the pericardium and the sternum. Contains fatty tissue, lymph nodes, and the thymus (particularly in children).
- Middle mediastinum: Contains the heart within the pericardial sac, the ascending aorta, the pulmonary trunk, and the great veins.
- Posterior mediastinum: Located between the pericardium and the vertebral column. Contains the esophagus, descending aorta, thoracic duct (lymphatic vessel), azygos vein, and important nerves.
Structures and Organs within the Mediastinum
The mediastinum houses a variety of critical anatomical structures:
- Heart and pericardium (the fibrous sac surrounding the heart)
- Major blood vessels: Aorta, superior and inferior vena cava, pulmonary vessels
- Trachea (windpipe) and main bronchi
- Esophagus (food pipe)
- Thymus gland (key organ of the immune system, especially in childhood)
- Lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels
- Nerves: Vagus nerve, phrenic nerve, sympathetic chain
- Thoracic duct (the largest lymphatic vessel in the body)
Clinical Relevance
The mediastinum is of great clinical importance because a number of significant medical conditions can arise in this region:
Mediastinitis
Mediastinitis is an inflammatory condition of the mediastinum, most commonly caused by infection -- for example, following cardiac surgery or as a result of esophageal perforation. It is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.
Mediastinal Tumors
Various tumors can develop within the mediastinum. Their location often provides clues to the tumor type:
- Anterior mediastinum: Thymomas, teratomas, lymphomas (e.g., Hodgkin lymphoma), thyroid goiter
- Middle mediastinum: Bronchogenic cysts, lymphomas, pericardial cysts
- Posterior mediastinum: Neurogenic tumors, esophageal tumors
Mediastinal Widening
Widening of the mediastinum on a chest X-ray is an important diagnostic finding that may indicate conditions such as an aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, lymphoma, or traumatic hematoma.
Pneumomediastinum
Pneumomediastinum refers to the presence of air within the mediastinal space, which can result from injury to the trachea, esophagus, or lungs. Symptoms may include chest pressure, shortness of breath, and pain.
Diagnosis
Several imaging techniques are available to evaluate the mediastinum:
- Chest X-ray: Initial assessment, evaluation of mediastinal width
- Computed Tomography (CT): Gold standard for detailed visualization of all mediastinal structures
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Particularly useful for soft tissue tumors and vascular structures
- Mediastinoscopy: An endoscopic procedure allowing direct inspection and biopsy of lymph nodes or tumors in the superior mediastinum
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET-CT): Used for diagnosis and staging of lymphomas and other mediastinal tumors
References
- Drake RL, Vogl AW, Mitchell AWM - Gray's Anatomy for Students. 4th Edition, Elsevier, 2019.
- Webb WR, Higgins CB - Thoracic Imaging: Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Radiology. 3rd Edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2016.
- Shields TW et al. - General Thoracic Surgery. 7th Edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009.
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