X CLOSE

Dissection of mediastinum and paravertebral structures

Mediastinal contents viewed from right side

Stanford holds the copyright to the David L. Bassett anatomical images and has assigned Creative Commons license Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International to all of the images.
For additional information regarding use and permissions, please contact the Medical History Center.

Image #126-4
Diagram Image
Legend Image
Dissection of mediastinum and paravertebral structures
Mediastinal contents viewed from right side
The pleura which covered the right side of the mediastinum and the paravertebral area has been removed from the specimen shown in the preceding view. The pericardial cavity has been opened. The endothoracic fascia has been cleared away.
  1. Thoracic ganglion
  2. Longus colli muscle
  3. Rib IV (cut off)
  4. Costal pleura
  5. Cardiac thoracic nerve
  6. Upper pointer: Right superior intercostal vein Lower pointer: Azygos vein (pointer indicates location of a valve within vein)
  7. Right main bronchus
  8. Branch right pulmonary artery (filled with blue latex)
  9. Right pulmonary veins (filled with red latex)
  10. Ligamentum capitis costae radiatum
  11. Upper pointer: Ramus communicans Lower pointer: Thoracic ganglion
  12. Greater splanchnic nerve (two strands indicated by pointers join at a lower level)
  13. Posterior intercostal artery and vein
  14. Anterior longitudinal ligament
  15. Sympathetic trunk
  16. Diaphragm
  17. Subclavius muscle
  18. Brachial plexus (pointer indicates one of several components)
  19. Right subclavian artery and vein
  20. Clavicular part pectoralis major muscle (cut off at origin)
  21. Rib I (periosteum removed)
  22. Left pointer: Right vagus nerve Right pointer: Right brachiocephalic vein
  23. Trachea
  24. Inferior cardiac branch of vagus nerve
  25. Internal thoracic artery and vein
  26. Right phrenic nerve
  27. Pericardiacophrenic artery (cut off)
  28. Superior vena cava
  29. Fascia covering thymus
  30. Pericardial cavity
  31. Musculophrenic artery and vein
  32. Sternocostal part pectoralis major muscle (cut off)
  33. Right atrium
  34. Pericardium (cut margins)
  35. Esophagus
  36. Vagus nerve right (note filaments of esophageal plexus above pointer)
  37. Inferior vena cava (covered by pericardium)