The lungs are separated by the mediastinum. This anatomical region is the central compartment o f the thoracic cavity. It is located between the lungs and contains all the principal tissues and organs of the chest such as the heart, trachea, esophagus, thymus etc. The lungs are the only chest organs not contained in this region.
It is surrounded by the breastbone, vertebral column and is bounded laterally by the pericardium as well as being continuous with the loose connectinve tissue of the neck.