The mediastinum is the central area in the chest between the lungs that contains organs such as the heart, major blood vessels etc.
What is mediastinum?
The mediastinum is a term used to describe the central compartment of the thoracic cavity, which is the space in the chest between the lungs. It is bordered by the sternum in front, the vertebral column in the back, the pleurae on each side, and the diaphragm at the bottom.
The mediastinum contains vital structures such as the heart, great vessels, esophagus, trachea, thymus gland, and various nerves, lymph nodes, and connective tissues.
The mediastinum is divided into several compartments, including the superior mediastinum, anterior mediastinum, middle mediastinum, and posterior mediastinum. These divisions help to categorize and locate specific structures within this central region of the chest.