The anterior mediastinum is the narrow space between the back of the sternum and the front of the pericardium. In adults it contains mainly fat, connective tissue, lymph nodes and remnants of the thymus. In children, the much larger thymus fills it.
| Location | Inferior mediastinum, between the body of the sternum and the fibrous pericardium, below the plane of the sternal angle. |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Blood Supply | Internal thoracic arteries (perforating and mediastinal branches) |
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Provides a padded space between the sternum and heart and contains lymph nodes draining the front of the chest.
Masses in the front of the mediastinum are classically remembered as the 'four Ts': thymoma, teratoma and other germ cell tumours, thyroid enlargement extending down, and lymphoma. Radiologists often use a broader prevascular compartment that includes the thymus in the superior mediastinum. Large anterior masses can compress the airway or heart, especially when the patient lies flat or is anaesthetised.
A tumour of thymic epithelial cells, often linked with myasthenia gravis. It may be found incidentally or cause chest pain and cough.
Lymphoma presenting as an anterior mediastinal mass, especially Hodgkin lymphoma in young adults. It can cause cough, breathlessness and night sweats.
Tumours such as teratoma or seminoma arising from misplaced germ cells. They mainly affect young men.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
