Mediastinum

mediastinum /me·di·as·ti·num/ (me?de-ah-sti´num) pl. mediasti´na   [L.]

1. a median septum or partition.

2. the mass of tissues and organs separating the two pleural sacs, between the sternum in front and the vertebral column behind, containing the heart and its large vessels, trachea, esophagus, thymus, lymph nodes, and other structures and tissues; it is divided into superior and inferior regions, the latter subdivided into anterior, middle, and posterior parts.

Subdivisions of the mediastinum.

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mediastinum tes´tis  the partial septum of the testis, formed near its posterior border by a continuation of the tunica albuginea.

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me·di·as·ti·num (md--stnm)

n. pl. me·di·as·ti·na (-n)

1. A septum between two parts of an organ or a cavity.

2. The region in mammals between the pleural sacs, containing the heart and all of the thoracic viscera except the lungs. Also called interpleural space, mediastinal space.

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medi·as·tinal (-nl) adj.

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Mediastinum

The area between the lungs, bounded by the spine, breastbone, and diaphragm.

Mentioned in: Lung Biopsy, Pneumothorax

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mediastinum

(mē´dēas´tnī´nm),
n a portion of the thoracic cavity in the middle of the thorax between the pleural sacs containing the two lungs. It extends from the sternum to the vertebral column and contains all the thoracic viscera except the lungs.

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mediastinum

pl. mediastina [L.]

1. a median septum or partition.

2. the mass of tissues and organs separating the two lungs, between the sternum ventrally and the vertebral column dorsally, containing the heart and its large vessels, trachea, esophagus, thymus, lymph nodes, and other structures and tissues. In the horse, the caudal part of the mediastinum is usually fenestrated and the two pleural cavities communicate with each other through it.