Cardiovascular System 1 - The Heart Flashcards
What is the primary germ layer that the heart is derived from?
Mesoderm
Briefly describe the embryological development of the heart?
(Day 21 & 22)
Day 21:
Two heart tubes form from the mesoderm and then fuse to form a single primitive heart tube.
Day 22:
The primitive heart begins to beat and begins to bend and fold on itself.
Briefly describe the embryological development of the heart?
(Day 28 & 43)
Day 28:
The heart tube then becomes partitioned into the four chambers of the heart and the great vessels entering and leaving the heart form.
Day 43:
Complete heart begins to be visible.
Where is the heart located in the thoracic cavity?
In a space called the mediastinum, which is the central space in the thoracic cavity between the two lungs.
How is the heart orientated in the mediastinum?
–> The heart sits on the central tendon of the diaphragm.
–> Is positioned posteriorly to the sternal body.
–> 1/3 is to the right & 2/3 is to the left of the midline.
–> Its base is positioned posterior and slightly up (located anterior to the thoracic spine).
–> Its apex points anteriorly, to the left and inferiorly (in the 5th left intercostal space).
Where does the heart sit?
The heart sits on its inferior surface which is also referred to as the diaphragmatic surface.
What is the pericardium and what is its function?
The protective sac around the heart.
Function:
To protect the heart and keep it in place with the thorax, as it is fused with the central tendon of the diaphragm.
What are the 2 parts of the pericardium?
The outer fibrous pericardium.
The inner serous pericardium.
What are the 3 layers of the heart wall?
Visceral layer of serous pericardium (epicardium)
Myocardium (middle)
Endocardium (inner)
Which layer of the heart wall does the visceral layer of the serous pericardium form?
The outer layer of the heart wall.
What is the epicardium composed of?
Outer layer = simple squamous epithelium
Inner layer = areolar connective tissue & fat.
What is the myocardium composed of?
Cardiac muscle (myo = muscle)
Explain the difference in the thickness of the myocardium between the left ventricle and the right ventricle?
The myocardium of the left ventricles is thicker than that of the right ventricles due to the higher pressure needed to pump oxygenated blood throughout the systemic circulation compared to the lower pressure required for the pulmonary circulation.
What is the endocardium composed of?
Inner layer = areolar connective tissue.
Outer layer = endothelium (simple squamous epithelium).
What does the pericardial cavity contain & what is its function?
Pericardial fluid:
Lubricates the surface of the heart as it moves within the cavity.
What are the 4 chambers of the heart?
Right atrium
Right ventricle
Left ventricle
Left atrium
What is the general function of the 2 atriums and 2 ventricles?
Two atriums = receiving chambers as they receive blood from either the lungs or the body.
Two ventricles = pumping chambers as they pump blood to either the lungs or the body.
What is the function of the auricle of the right atrium & the coronary sulcus?
Auricle of the right atrium:
Increase the capacity of the atria.
Coronary sulcus:
Supply blood to the heart itself.
Label the external and internal features of the heart?
Label the external and internal features of the heart?
Identify the posterior and inferior surface of the heart?
a) = posterior surface
b) = inferior (diaphragmatic) surface
Define pulmonary and systemic circulation?
Pulmonary circulation:
The circulation between the heart and the lungs.
Systemic circulation:
The circulation between the heart and the body.
What type of blood is found on each side of the heart?
RIght side = deoxygenated blood.
Left side = oxygenated blood.
What is the role of arteries and veins?
Arteries:
Bring blood away from the heart.
Veins:
Bring blood towards the heart.