The mediastinum's a non-delineated group of structures in the thorax, surrounded by loose connective tissue. It's the central compartment of the thoracic cavity. It contains the heart, the great vessels of the heart, esophagus, trachea, phrenic nerve, cardiac nerve, thoracic duct, thymus, and lymph nodes of the central chest. Anatomy The mediastinum lies between the right and left pleura in and near the median sagittal plane of the chest. It extends from the sternum in front to the vertebral co… (More on Mediastinum)