In which part of the mediastinum do the great vessels lie?

The great vessels, which include the aorta, superior vena cava, and pulmonary arteries and veins, are located in the superior mediastinum. This area is positioned between the thoracic inlet and the plane formed by the sternal angle and the T4-T5 vertebral bodies.

The superior mediastinum is responsible for housing important structures including the thymus, trachea, esophagus, and the great vessels. The location of the great vessels in this compartment is crucial for understanding their anatomical relationships to surrounding structures, and it is where the blood supply and drainage of the head, neck, and upper limbs occur.

In contrast, the inferior mediastinum is comprised of three parts: anterior, middle, and posterior, which contain other structures such as the heart, pericardium, and various vessels, but not the great vessels themselves. The middle mediastinum primarily contains the heart and its major vessels, while the posterior mediastinum is home to structures such as the descending aorta and various nerves but does not include the great vessels described as lying in the superior mediastinum.