mediastinum

views updated May 18 2018

mediastinum
1. A membrane in the midline of the thorax of mammals that separates the lungs.

2. The space between the two lungs, which is occupied by the heart and oesophagus.

A Dictionary of Biology

mediastinum

views updated May 29 2018

mediastinum (mee-di-ă-sty-nŭm) n. the space in the thorax between the two pleural sacs. The mediastinum contains the heart, aorta, trachea, oesophagus, and thymus gland.

A Dictionary of Nursing

mediastinum

views updated May 09 2018

mediastinum (anat.) membranous septum between cavities. XVI. modL., sb. n. of medL. mediastīnus medial, f. medius MID.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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Mediastinum

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