mediastinum

[ mee-dee-a-stahy-nuhm ]

/ ˌmi di æˈstaɪ nəm /

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noun, plural me·di·as·ti·na

[mee-dee-a-stahy-nuh]. /ˌmi di æˈstaɪ nə/. Anatomy.

a median septum or partition between two parts of an organ, or paired cavities of the body.

the partition separating the right and left thoracic cavities, formed of the two inner pleural walls, and, in humans, comprising all the viscera of the thorax except the lungs.

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Origin of mediastinum

1535–45; <New Latin; compare mediastīnus of middle class, apparently identical with Latin mediast(r)īnus a low-ranking slave, perhaps derivative of mediusmid¹, though sense and formation unclear

OTHER WORDS FROM mediastinum

me·di·as·ti·nal, adjective

Words nearby mediastinum

mediastinography, mediastinopericarditis, mediastinoscope, mediastinoscopy, mediastinotomy, mediastinum, mediastinum testis, mediate, mediate auscultation, mediated, mediate percussion

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use mediastinum in a sentence

Several lymphatic glands in the anterior part of the mediastinum contained black fluid.
An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis|Archibald Makellar
I noted that there was free air and blood in the superior right mediastinum.
Warren Commission (6 of 26): Hearings Vol. VI (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
There was considerable hematoma in the right lateral portion of the neck and the right superior mediastinum, as I noted.
Warren Commission (6 of 26): Hearings Vol. VI (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
Next, the diaphragm and all parts of the right mediastinum was examined but no injury was found.
Warren Commission (6 of 26): Hearings Vol. VI (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

This is a point of great practical importance in determining the extension of inflammation into the mediastinum.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for mediastinum

mediastinum

/ (ˌmiːdɪəˈstaɪnəm) /

noun plural -na (-nə) anatomy

a membrane between two parts of an organ or cavity such as the pleural tissue between the two lungs

the part of the thoracic cavity that lies between the lungs, containing the heart, trachea, etc

Derived forms of mediastinum

mediastinal, adjective

Word Origin for mediastinum

C16: from medical Latin, neuter of Medieval Latin mediastīnus median, from Latin: low grade of servant, from medius mean

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for mediastinum

mediastinum

[ mē′dē-ə-stī′nəm ]

n. pl. me•di•as•ti•na (-nə)

A septum between two parts of an organ or a cavity.

The region in mammals between the pleural sacs, containing the heart and all of the thoracic viscera except the lungs.interpleural space mediastinal space

Other words from mediastinum

me′di•as•ti′nal (-nəl) adj.me′di•as•ti′nal•ly adv.