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13 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Identify the pericardium in the cadaver and describe its organisation |
The heart and the pericardium lie in the mediastinum – the central compartment of the thoraxbounded by the pleura. |
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Where is the superior mediastinum located and what anatomical structures does it contain? |
Above the sternal angle/T5. It contains the trachea, the superior portion of the oesophagus, the aortic arch and the superior vena cava. |
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Where is the inferior mediastinum located, what are the subdivisions of the inferior mediastinum and what anatomical structures does it contain? |
The inferior mediastinum is located below the sternal angle/T4. It's divided into three subdivisions, each containing anatomical structures. The anterior inferior mediastinum contains the thymus, lymph nodes and branches of the internal thoracic artery. The posterior inferior mediastinum contains the descending aorta, inferior portion of the oesophagus, azygous vein (drains thorax and part of the abdomen), vagus nerve and thoracic duct. The middle inferior mediastinum is the area bounded by the pericardium - it contains the heart. |
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What is the pericardium and what is its structure? |
The pericardium is a fibroserous sac that holds the heart. It consists of two layers: the fibrous pericardium (most superficial) and the serous pericardium. The serous pericardium itself consists of two layers: the parietal pericardium (lines the fibrous pericardium) and visceral pericardium (lines the heart - epicardium). The visceral layer extends a portion of theway up the great vessels where it then folds back to become the parietal layer.Therefore there is a potential space between the two layers, the pericardialcavity, filled with pericardial fluid. The fluid acts a lubricant. |
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What are the functions of the pericardium? |
The main two functions of the pericardium are to prevent infection and to act as lubricant. The fibrous pericardium protects the heart and prevents overfilling of the pericardium. The serous pericardium provides lubrication and minimises friction. |
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What are clinical conditions associated with the pericardium? |
Inflammation of the pericardium is pericarditis. Excess fluid in the pericardial space (interferes with the heart's ability to beat) is cardiac tamponade. |
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Name the four chambers of the heart. |
RIGHT: Right atrium, left ventricle. LEFT: Left atrium, left ventricle. (Written in order of blood flow) |
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Name the main vessels entering and leaving the heart. |
RIGHT: Superior and inferior vena cava drain into the right atrium. Blood leaves the right ventricle through the pulmonary trunk - this bifucates into the right and left pulmonary arteries. LEFT: Pulmonary veins enter the left atrium, and blood leaves the left ventricle through the aorta. |
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What are the foetal remnants of the heart? |
Ligamentum arteriosum (white tube at top of heart on diagram) - remnant of the ductus arteriosus (connected the pulmonary artery to the aorta, as blood does not need to enter the lungs in foetuses - oxygen is obtained through the placenta). Foramen ovale - hole in the septum (similar reason as above) |
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Name the different sections of the aorta. |
Theaorta can be split into three portions – ascending, arch and descending. The arch has three branches – brachiocephalic trunk (which splits into the right subclavianartery and the right common carotid artery), the left common carotid artery andthe left subclavianartery. We only have a brachiocephalic trunk on the RIGHT side. Thedescending aorta pierces the diaphragm at T12. |
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How does blood return to the heart from the head and the neck? |
Bloodreturns to the heart via the left and right internal jugular veins which jointhe left and right subclavian veins respectively forming the left andright brachiocephalic veins. NOTE: we have two brachiocephalic veins but only one brachiocephalic artery. Thetwo brachiocephalic veins join to form the superior venacava which drains into the right atrium. |
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Name the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. |
The coronary arteriers are the first branches of the aorta; the left and the right coronary arteries. Important branches - Left: - Circumflex branch - Anterior interventricular artery Important branches - Right: - Posterior interventricular artery Others: - Posterior common artery (can arise from right coronary artery (in right dominant people) or from the circumflex artery (in left dominant people. This varies in the population. |
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Name the coronary veins that drain blood from the heart. |
Left: - Great |
