Anatom3DPosterior mediastinum
Mediastinum posterius · Zadní mezihrudí
Respiratory system
Looks like
The space behind the heart and in front of the spine, between the two lungs.
What it does
Holds the gullet, descending aorta, thoracic duct, azygos veins, vagus nerves and nerve chains.
Keeping it well
Masses here are often nerve tumours. Sudden tearing pain between the shoulders may be an aortic dissection — call emergency.