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Bassett Collection of Stereoscopic Images of Human Anatomy

Dissection of mediastinum and paravertebral structures

Upper thoracic part of left sympathetic trunk; intercostal vessels; ligamentous band between vertebrae and mediastinal structures

Image #128-1

KEYWORDS: Bones joints cartilage, Fascia and connective tissue, Left lung, Lung, Mediastinum, Peripheral nervous system, Right lung, Vasculature, Vertebral column.

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Dissection of mediastinum and paravertebral structures
Upper thoracic part of left sympathetic trunk; intercostal vessels; ligamentous band between vertebrae and mediastinal structures
The aortic arch and thoracic aorta have been pulled forward. The tracheobronchial tree has been retracted to the right. A ligamentous band (9), firmly attached to the anterior longitudinal ligament over the fourth and fifth thoracic vertebrae, can be seen extending downward and anteriorly to blend with the fascia which covers the esophagus, trachea and aorta. A similar ligament is also shown in another specimen (132-3).
  1. Trachea
  2. Ansa subclavia
  3. Upper pointer: Brachiocephalic trunk Lower pointer: Left common carotid artery
  4. Vertebral artery
  5. Left subclavian artery
  6. Posterior intercostal artery III
  7. Left vagus nerve
  8. Superior tracheobronchial lymph node
  9. Ligamentous band extending from vertebrae to mediastinal structures
  10. Recurrent laryngeal nerve
  11. Left main bronchus (retracted to the right)
  12. Bronchial branch of thoracic aorta
  13. Stellate ganglion
  14. Inferior trunk brachial plexus
  15. Costocervical trunk
  16. Aberrant ramus communicans
  17. Thoracic ganglion
  18. Esophagus
  19. Sympathetic trunk
  20. Intercostal nerve V
  21. Rami communicantes
  22. Anterior longitudinal ligament (pointer on vertebra Th. V)
  23. Accessory hemiazygos vein
  24. Thoracic aorta
  25. Costal pleura