Question: what two cavities does the mediastinum separate?
Answer: Mediastinum, Autonomic Nerves, and Thymus The mediastinum completely separates the right and left pleural cavities. As in humans and other mammals the esophagus lies dorsal (posterior) to the trachea and its bifurcation and to the pericardium and ventral (anterior) to the thoracic (descending) aorta (Figure 4.8D.).