1. Anatomy of the Heart and Circulation

Question 1

What is the Pericardium?

Answer 1

Fibroserous sac surrounding the heart and its great vessels

Question 2

How many layers does the pericardium have and what are they called?

Answer 2

2 layers, the fibrous and serous layer. The serous layer has two layers which are continuous with each other: Parietal - lines the fibrous layer of the pericardium. Visceral - adheres to the heart

Question 3

What is the name of the fluid between the serous and fibrous layer?

Answer 3

Pericardial fluid

Question 4

Main vessels of the heart?

Answer 4

Aorta (ascending aorta and aortic arch), Pulmonary trunk, Superior and inferior vena cava

Question 5

Branches of the aorta?

Answer 5

Brachiocephalic trunk - which divides into the right common carotid and right subclavian artery, left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery

Question 6

Where do the left common carotid and left subclavian artery come off?

Answer 6

The aortic arch of the aorta

Question 7

Trauma to the heart resulting in bleeding between the pericardium and the heart causing what condition?

Answer 7

Cardiac tamponade - prevents the ventricles from expanding properly

Question 8

What is the mediastinum?

Answer 8

Thick midline partition that separates the two pleural cavities. It allows the passage of structures from one body region to the another and for structures that connect thoracic organs to other body regions

Question 9

What is mediastinum divided into?

Answer 9

Superior, middle and inferior mediastinum

Question 10

What are the two types of circulation?

Answer 10

Systemic and Pulmonary circulation

Question 11

Where does the pulmonary vein return to the heart?

Answer 11

The pulmonary vein returns to the heart posteriorly

Question 12

Describe the the division of the pulmonary trunk

Answer 12

The pulmonary trunk arises from the right atrium and bifurcates into two pulmonary arteries which go to each lung

Question 13

What makes up the right brachiocephalic vein?

Answer 13

Right internal jugular vein and right subclavian vein

Question 14

What makes up the left brachiocephalic vein?

Answer 14

Left internal jugular vein and left subclavian vein

Question 15

The left and right brachiocephalic veins join to form what structure?

Answer 15

The superior vena cava

Question 16

Describe the orientations of the brachiocephalic veins and any clinical signficance

Answer 16

The right brachiocephalic vein is a vertical drop down into the heart whereas the left brachiocephalic vein cross over the great vessels. As a result the placement of catheters is more likely to be done on the right side of the heart

Question 17

List the valves of the heart

Answer 17

Right side of the heart: tricuspid valve (anterior, posterior and septal cusps) and pulmonary valve (right, left and anterior semilunar cusps)
Left side of the heart: mitral valve (anterior and posterior cusps) and aortic valve (right, left and posterior cusps)

Question 18

What are the valves held by?

Answer 18

Chordae tendineae and papillary muscle

Question 19

Where do the coronary arteries orginate from?

Answer 19

Right coronary artery - just above the right cusp of the aortic valve
Left coronary artery - just above the left cusp of the aortic valve

Question 20

List the order of the conducting system components in the heart

Answer 20

SAN –> anterior, middle, posterior tract –> AVN –> bundle of his –> right/left bundle branch –> purkinje fibres