posterior mediastinum


pos·te·ri·or me·di·as·ti·num

[TA] lies between the pericardium anteriorly and the vertebral column posteriorly and below the level of the plane that interesects the sternal angle and the T4-5 intervertebral disc. It contains the descending aorta, thoracic duct, esophagus, azygos veins, and vagus nerves. Synonym(s): mediastinum posterius [TA], postmediastinum