(Return to Courseware Index) Posterior and Superior Mediastinum LAB MANUAL |Topic and Text Reference | Learning Objectives | Special Instructions | Clinical Exercises | Key Structures TOPIC AND TEXT REFERENCE: POSTERIOR AND SUPERIOR MEDIASTINUM PP 59-63 LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Identify the great vessels in the superior mediastinum. Trace and understand the venous return from the posterior thoracic wall and thoracic organs. Understand and be able to trace and describe the autonomic innervation to the thoracic organs. Find the thoracic duct and understand the lymphatic drainage from the thoracic organs. Observe and learn the basic relationships between the structures in the thorax. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR LAB TODAY: Pg: 60: DO NOT cut the superior vena cava where the arch of the azygos enters. Pg: 61: DO NOT cut into the trachea to see the carina. Pg 62: The thoracic duct is important, so if you don't see it in your body, be sure to observe it on another. The thymus may or may not be identifiable. You may not be able to find any lymph nodes. If you cannot find any on your cadaver, look on a different cadaver and look at a diagram of them in the atlas. CLINICAL EXERCISES: How do the structures relate to the sternal angle? You should use cross sections to help identify these relationships. KEY STRUCTURES: You should be able to identify in a cadaver all the structures listed under key words unless they have an asterisk. Click "I" for images and drawing from our lab, from Netter's, and Gold Standard. Click "S" for relevant pages in the Study Module. structure Netter's Gold Standard structure Netter's Gold Standard Arteries     Veins     bronchial arteries N1   accessory azygos vein N1   descending aorta N1 G1 azygos vein N1 G1 left common carotid N1 G1 brachiocephalic veins N1 G1 (left) posterior intercostal arteries N1 G1 hemiazygos vein N1   subclavian artery N1 G1 (left) | G2 (right) intercostal veins N1 G1 Muscles     subclavian vein N1   innermost intercostal muscle N1   Other structures     Nerves     diaphragm N1   anterior vagal trunk N1 G1 (left) esophageal plexus N1 G1 greater splanchnic nerve N1 G1 esophagus N1 G1 left recurrent laryngeal nerve N1 G1 ligamentum arteriosum N1 G1 lesser splanchnic nerve N1   thoracic duct N1 G1 phrenic nerve N1 G1 (left) thymus N1 G1 posterior vagal trunk N1 G1 (left) trachea bifurcation N1 G1 (cross-section) vagus nerves N1 G1 (left) trachea carina N1 G1                             |Topic and Text Reference | Learning Objectives | Special Instructions | Clinical Exercises | Key Structures

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