mediastinum

[ mee-dee-a-stahy-nuhm ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural me·di·as·ti·na [mee-dee-a-, stahy, -n, uh].

1. a median septum or partition between two parts of an organ, or paired cavities of the body.
2. 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.

mediastinum

/ ˌmiːdɪəˈstaɪnəm /

noun

1. a membrane between two parts of an organ or cavity such as the pleural tissue between the two lungs
2. the part of the thoracic cavity that lies between the lungs, containing the heart, trachea, etc

Derived Forms

• ˌmediasˈtinal, adjective

Other Words From

• medi·as·tinal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mediastinum¹

1535–45; < New Latin; compare mediastīnus of middle class, apparently identical with Latin mediast ( r ) īnus a low-ranking slave, perhaps derivative of medius mid ¹, though sense and formation unclear

Word History and Origins

Origin of mediastinum¹

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

Example Sentences

Several lymphatic glands in the anterior part of the mediastinum contained black fluid.

From Project Gutenberg

I noted that there was free air and blood in the superior right mediastinum.

From Project Gutenberg

There was considerable hematoma in the right lateral portion of the neck and the right superior mediastinum, as I noted.

From Project Gutenberg

Next, the diaphragm and all parts of the right mediastinum was examined but no injury was found.

From Project Gutenberg

This is a point of great practical importance in determining the extension of inflammation into the mediastinum.

From Project Gutenberg