Anterior mediastinum

Anterior Mediastinum

The anterior mediastinum is a region of the thorax located between the sternum and the pericardium, a double-walled sac containing the heart and the roots of the great vessels. It is one of the three compartments of the mediastinum, the others being the middle mediastinum and the posterior mediastinum.

Anatomy

The anterior mediastinum is the smallest compartment of the mediastinum. It is bordered anteriorly by the sternum and posteriorly by the pericardium. Its lateral borders are the pleurae of the left and right lungs. The anterior mediastinum extends from the sternum to the pericardium and from the diaphragm to the thoracic outlet.

Contents

The anterior mediastinum contains several important structures. These include the thymus gland, which is most prominent in children and shrinks with age, and a variable amount of fat and lymphatic tissue. It also contains branches of the internal thoracic artery and internal thoracic vein, and the lymph nodes of the anterior mediastinum.

Clinical significance

Diseases of the anterior mediastinum can include thymoma, lymphoma, and germ cell tumors. These can cause symptoms such as chest pain, cough, and shortness of breath. Diagnosis is often made with imaging studies such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and may be confirmed with a biopsy.

See also

• Mediastinum
• Middle mediastinum
• Posterior mediastinum
• Thymus