Expansion
Descending aorta, Azygos system, Thoracic duct, (o)Esophagus, Sympathetic chain
Expansion
- D - Descending thoracic aorta
- A - Azygos and hemiazygos veins
- T - Thoracic duct
- E - (O)esophagus, with the vagal trunks on its surface
- S - Sympathetic chain and the splanchnic nerves
The posterior mediastinum lies behind the pericardium, between the sternal angle plane above and the diaphragm below. Because the sympathetic chain and intercostal nerves run here, neurogenic tumours are the commonest posterior mediastinal mass, a useful counterpart to the “4 Ts” of the anterior mediastinum.