Return to the superior mediastinum. (G 3.60B;N 203;Gl 10.6B)
- Attempt to identify the remnant of the thymus. Identify the right and left brachiocephalic veins. Attempt to identify the left superior intercostal vein draining into the left brachiocephalic vein. Identify the origins of the brachiocephalic, left common carotid and left subclavian arteries. Identify the right vagus nerve. (G 3.61;N 227;Gl 9.3A) The right vagus nerve passes anterior to the subclavian artery and then posterior to the right main bronchus.
- Identify the trachea and esophagus. Trace the trachea to its bifurcation into the right and left main bronchi. Identify the superior and inferior tracheobronchial lymph nodes at the bifurcation. (G 3.63;N 205;Gl 9.31A) Attempt to identify one or more bronchial arteries. (G 3.63;N 239;Gl 10.25)
Important Relationships
- The esophagus is positioned posterior to the trachea.
- The esophagus passes posterior to the left main bronchus.
- The descending (thoracic) aorta passes posterior to the left main bronchus.
- At the hilum of the left lung, the pulmonary artery is positioned superior to the main bronchus.
- At the hilum of the left lung, the pulmonary veins are positioned anterior and inferior to the main bronchus.
- At the hilum of the right lung, the pulmonary artery is positioned anterior to the main bronchus.
- At the hilum of the right lung, the pulmonary veins are positioned anterior to the main bronchus.
- At the hilum of the right lung, the pulmonary veins are positioned anterior and inferior to the pulmonary arteries.
