The inferior mediastinum is the lower, larger part of the mediastinum, lying below the plane that passes from the sternal angle to the T4-T5 intervertebral disc. The pericardium and heart divide it into three parts: anterior, middle and posterior. It extends down to the diaphragm.
| Location | Between the transverse thoracic plane (sternal angle to T4-T5) and the diaphragm, from the sternum to the vertebral bodies. |
|---|---|
| Parts | |
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Contains the heart in its pericardial sac, the lower oesophagus, descending aorta and associated nerves, veins and lymphatics.
The transverse thoracic plane at the sternal angle is a key surface landmark: it marks the tracheal bifurcation, the start and end of the aortic arch and the second costal cartilage. Lesions in the inferior mediastinum are described by which of the three subdivisions they lie in to narrow down the cause.
A benign fluid-filled sac, most often at the right cardiophrenic angle. It is usually found incidentally and rarely causes symptoms.
Bleeding into the mediastinum after trauma, surgery or aortic injury. Large collections can compress the heart or airways.
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.
