Cardiology Flashcards
What separates the superior and inferior mediastinum?
The sternal angle
The inferior mediastinum can be further divided into what?
Anterior, middle and posterior mediastinum
The anterior mediastinum is anterior to which structure?
The heart
What is in the middle mediastinum?
The heart
The posterior mediastinum is posterior to what?
The heart
Describe the systemic circulation
From the LA past the bicuspid valve into the LV out of the heart past the aortic valve into the aorta through the arterial system, through the capillaries, through the venous system and back into the heart through the inferior and superior vena cava
Describe the pulmonary circulation
From the superior and inferior vena cava into the RA past the tricuspid valve into the RV out of the heart past the pulmonary valve into the pulmonary trunk, through the right and left lungs back into the heart through pulmonary veins
What is the epicardium?
Outermost layer of the heart
Made up visceral serous pericardium
What is the myocardium?
Thick muscular layer made up of spiraling overlapping layers of cardiac muscle
Describe a myocardial infarction
Lack of blood flow to a specific area of the myocardium usually the rest of a block in a coronary A
What is coronary atherosclerosis?
Buildup of lipids on the internal walls of the coronary arteries decreases the size of lumen of that vessel increasing the likelihood of an embolus or blocking a vessel off entirely
What is angina pectoris?
Pain that originates in the heart and produces a strangling pain of the chest
Usually the result of narrow or obstructed coronary arteries that produces ischemia of the myocardium
What is the endocardium?
Thin internal endothelial and subendothelial layer lining the inside of the chambers of the heart and valves
Describe the fibrous skeleton of the heart
Dense collagenous fibers
Produces attachment points for the myocardium, produces attachment points for the valves of the cuspid valves, supports and strengthens AV and semilunar orifices and provides an electrically insulated barrier b/w the atria and the ventricles
What are the 3 surfaces of the heart?
Sternocostal (RV)
Diaphragmatic (right and left ventricle)
Pulmonary (paired; RA and LV occupying the cardiac impression on both lungs)
What are the 4 borders of the heart?
Right (RA)
Inferior (RV)
Left (LV)
Superior (right and left atria and the exit point for the aorta and pulmonary trunk)
Where is the right AV groove and what does it transmit?
Between the RA and RV
Transmits the right coronary A
Where is the left AV groove and what does it house?
Between the LA and LV
Houses the coronary sinus
Where is the anterior interventricular groove and what does it transmit?
Between the right and left ventricles on the anterior aspect of the heart
Transmits the anterior interventricular A and great cardiac V
Where is the posterior interventricular groove and what does it transmit?
Between right and left ventricles on the posterior aspect of the heart
Transmits the posterior interventricular A and the middle cardiac V
What is the sulcus terminalis?
External vertical groove corresponding to the internal crista terminalis
What is the ligamentum arteriosum?
Embryological remnant of the ductus arteriosus which shunted blood from the pulmonary trunk to the aorta to bypass the nonfunctional lungs
Communication between the pulmonary trunk and the arch of the aorta
What loops around the aortic arch and ligamentum arteriosum before ascending to the larynx?
Left recurrent laryngeal N of the vagus N (CN X)
Describe atrial septal defects
Typically involves incomplete closure of the foramen ovale
It is estimated that 15-20% of adults have a small patency of their foramen ovale which is considered clinically insignificant
Larger openings in the interatrial septum can be clinically significant as they allow mixture of oxygen and oxygen depleted blood
