Stoddard Nathan, Heil Jenna R., Lowery David R.
University of New England
Creighton University School of Medicine
The thoracic mediastinum is the compartment that runs the length of the thoracic cavity between the pleural sacs of the lungs. This compartment extends longitudinally from the thoracic inlet to the superior surface of the diaphragm. Although there are no physical barriers between compartments other than the pericardium, the mediastinum is typically discussed based on subdivisions. The four-compartment model divides the mediastinum into the superior, anterior, middle, and posterior portions. The mediastinum houses many vital structures including the heart, great vessels, trachea, and essential nerves. It also functions as a protected pathway for structures traversing from the neck, superiorly, and into the abdomen, inferiorly. The mediastinum is also clinically significant due to the variety of physical anomalies and pathologies that can occur in this region.
胸纵隔是位于两肺胸膜囊之间贯穿胸腔全长的腔隙。该腔隙从胸廓入口纵向延伸至膈的上表面。尽管除心包外各腔隙之间并无实体屏障，但纵隔通常按分区进行讨论。四分区模型将纵隔分为上、前、中、后四部。纵隔容纳许多重要结构，包括心脏、大血管、气管和重要神经。它还作为结构从颈部向上并进入腹部向下穿行的受保护通道。纵隔在临床上也很重要，因为该区域可发生多种身体异常和病变。
