SUDDIVISIONE

subdivision of mediastinum on cross section

Subdivision of mediastinum
as seen on sagittal section

Boundaries of the mediastinum

superior mediastinum (1)

	upper boundary -- plane of the thoracic inlet (jugular notch, first rib, first thoracic vertebra)
	lower boundary -- plane of sternal angle (from sternal angle to lower border of fourth thoracic vertebra
	lateral boundaries -- mediastinal pleurae
	anterior boundary -- manubrium of sternum
	posterior boundary -- bodies of thoracic vertebrae 1 thru 4

inferior mediastinum (2)

subdivision of mediastinum on sagittal section

anterior

middle

anterior -- body and xiphoid of sternum	anterior -- pericardium
posterior -- pericardium	posterior -- pericardium
lateral -- mediastinal pleura	lateral -- mediastinal pleura
superior -- plane of sternal angle	superior -- plane of sternal angle
inferior -- diaphragm	inferior -- diaphragm

	posterior
	anterior -- pericardium
	posterior -- bodies of thoracic vertebrae 5 - 12
	lateral -- mediastinal pleura
	superior -- plane of sternal angle
	inferior -- diaphragm