Final answer:
The esophagus is the structure from the provided options that is contained within the mediastinum.
The mediastinum houses vital organs and structures centrally in the thoracic cavity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mediastinum is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity, and it houses various vital structures such as the heart, trachea, and esophagus.
The structure contained within the mediastinum out of the options provided is the esophagus.
Boundaries of Mediastinum are:
- Posteriorly: thoracic spine.
- Anteriorly: sternum and costal cartilages.
- Laterally: mediastinal pleura.
- Superiorly: thoracic inlet.
- Inferiorly: diaphragm.
Notably, the lungs, larynx, and bronchioles are not within the mediastinum. The lungs are located laterally to the mediastinum, the larynx is a part of the upper respiratory tract and the bronchioles are found within the lung tissue itself.
The esophagus, on the other hand, runs a mainly straight route through the mediastinum as it passes from the throat to the stomach.