Mediastinal lymph nodes

Looks like

Many nodes in the middle of the chest, around the windpipe, main bronchi, heart and oesophagus.

What it does

Filter lymph from the lungs, heart and oesophagus.

Keeping it well

Key to lung cancer staging, sampled with a scope (EBUS). They also enlarge in sarcoidosis, tuberculosis and lymphoma.

Its parts

• Brachiocephalic nodes
• Inferior tracheobronchial nodes
• Juxta-oesophageal nodes
• Lateral pericardial nodes
• Node of arch of azygos vein
• Node of ligamentum arteriosum
• Paratracheal thoracic nodes
• Prepericardial nodes
• Superior tracheobronchial nodes

Related conditions

• Sarcoidosis
• Silicosis and coal workers' pneumoconiosis