Contribution to the topographical anatomy of the thorax in the foetus at term and the new-born child / by George S. Huntington.

  • Huntington, George S. (George Sumner), 1861-1927.
Date:
[1897?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Contribution to the topographical anatomy of the thorax in the foetus at term and the new-born child / by George S. Huntington. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    the broad antero-posterior extent of the right margin of the pericardium at its attachment to the diaphragm below. The lateral surface of the thymus, invested thus by the anterior and upper part of the mediastinal pleura, is plane, or even slightly concave. Between it and the prominent right lateral surface of the pericardium a furrow running obliquely down- ward and forward receives the ridge which, on the mediastinal surface of the right lung, separates the thymic from the concave pericardial area (Fig. XXX, between 2 and 3). Behind the thymic area the prominent lateral surface of the right innominate vein and superior vena cava is seen (Figs. XXVIII, 10, XXIX, continuation downwards of 3, XXX, 15). In the foetus the por- tion of the right innominate vein in contact with the mediastinal pleura is comparatively short, inclined obliquely across the upper apical portion, whereas the superior cava appears relatively long, directed more vertically downwards, dorsal to the thymus and upper right portion of the pericar- dium. The right phrenic nerve descends between the superior cava and the thymus, and lower down crosses the pericardium in front of the structures connected with the pulmonary hilus, to continue along the anterior and lateral circumference of the inferior vena cava to the diaphragm (Figs. XXVIII, 8, XXX, 16). The posterior portion of the mediastinal space is occupied in its middle third by the structures connected with the lung at the hilus, and already considered in detail in reference to their mutual relations. Immediately above the upper margin of the hilus region the azygos vein arches from behind forward to join the superior cava (Figs. XXVIII, 2, XXIX, 1, XXX, 1). Between the innominate and superior caval veins in front, the verte- bral column behind, the apex of the pleural sac above, and the azygos arch below, the right mediastinal pleura covers a field (Fig. XXVIII, 1) which, after reflection of the membrane (Figs. XXIX and XXX), is seen to con- tain the following structures: The right lateral wall of the trachea occupies the central portion of this area (Figs. XXIX, 6, XXX, continuation of 3). The tube is separated from the large venous trunks in front by a quantity of fatty connective tissue and small lymphatic glands (Figs. XXIX, 7, XXX, 13), and is crossed obliquely in the direction from above and in front downward and backward by the right vagus (Figs. XXIX, 5, XXX, 4). Behind the trachea, between it and the vertebral column, the right lateral portion of the oesophagus appears (Figs. XXIX, 4, XXX, contin- uation of 1). At the level of the upper border of the hilus the oesophagus encounters the arch of the azygos vein. The vein is rendered very prominent at this point by the underlying oesophagus, and projects strongly into the right pleural sac. Dorsal to the region of the hilus the vein gradually becomes less prominent, and recedes toward the median line. The right lateral sur- face of the oesophagus again appears below the arch, between the vertical azygos vein behind and the pericardium and structures at the hilus in front.