What is the rear mediastinum?

The

area of ​​the upper strain or chest of the body contains several key structures necessary for survival, including heart, lung, thymus, trachea and esophagus and key blood vessels such as aorta. Mediastinum runs from the chest or bone of the breast in front of the chest to the spine or vertebra at the back of the trunk. Its main role is the protection of the basic organs and chest structures, eliminating the lungs that are located on both sides of the heart. This protective barrier is divided into two parts, superior and lower sections. The lower segment is further divided into three sections, front, media and rear mediastinum.

The front mediastinum is located in front of the pericardium, a liquid filled with a pouch that contains the heart and its main blood vessels. The middle mediastinum is placed pericardium and all its components. The rear mediastinum lies behind the heart protective bag and runs parallel to the spine.

Asymmetric triangular space called rear mediastinum is connected to the front of the body pericardium, which sits just above it. FROMUnder his attachment to the membrane, the primary breathing muscle. From the back, it joins the fourth to the twelfth thoracic spine and the mediastinal pleura, a thin membrane between the lungs.

rear mediastin are located thoracic part of the descending aorta, the largest artery in the body. Aorta is responsible for carrying blood rich in oxygen from the heart and to the body. This area also contains certain veins, such as Azygos and Hememiazygos, which help in transporting deoxygenated blood back towards the heart.

other structures located in the rear mediastinum are the esophagus, tube that moves food from the neck to the stomach and the thoracic channel, the largest lymphatic container in the body. This container is responsible for returning excessive fluids back to the body circulation. Inside this area there are nerves such as vagus and splanichnic, in charge of supplying impulses or messages from the brain and spinal cord.

Although tumors or mass in mediastinum are rare, can occur at any age. Symptoms of the mediastinal tumor may range from no indications to chest pain, shortness of breath, fever and coughing blood. The position of the tumor is commonly dependent on age. For example, in adults, the affected areas are usually in front of mediastin and tumors are malignant or cancerous nature. In children, the mediastinal tumor is usually placed in the back mediastin and is benign or non -raction.