Cardiovascular System Flashcards
Demonstrate the main anatomical features and surface landmarks of the thoracic skeleton
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Describe the arrangement and contents of the superior, anterior, middle and posterior parts of the mediastinum
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Identify the major anatomical features of each chamber of the heart and explain their functional significance
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Identify the coronary arteries and cardiac veins, their branches and area of the heart supplied
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Describe the course of the ascending aorta, the arch of the aorta and the descending thoracic aorta.
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Name the major branches of the aorta and an overview of the structures they supply
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Identify and describe the course of major arteries and veins of the upper and lower limbs
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describe the pulmonary trunk
Arises slightly anterior to aortic orifice
Ascends posteriorly and to the left
Approx. T5-T6, opposite left border of sternum it divides into left and right
Left: inferior to aortic arch
Right: posterior to ascending aorta and SVC
Describe the vena cava
Superior Vena Cava: inferior half is within pericardial sac. Passes through fibrous pericardium at CC2 and enters right atrium
•Inferior Vena Cava: passes through diaphragm at T8 and enters fibrous pericardium. Short portion of it is within the pericardial sec before entering right atrium
Describe the aorta
Ascends within the pericardial sac to enter the superior mediastinum. Originates at aortic orifice (lower edge of CC3) and continues to CC2
The right subclavian artery passes under the clavicle down to the upper limb. Right common carotid runs up the neck to the brain.
The arch lies behind sternum and in front of trachea, and moves up and back to become continuous with descending aorta at the level of the sternal angle
Ligamentum arteriosum connects bifurcation of pulmonary trunk with aorta
What are the branches of the aortic arch?
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The aorta descends downwards; describe the thoracic aorta
Begins at about (vertebral level) T4-T5 from the arch of the aorta
The thoracic aorta descends in the posterior mediastinum.
It passes through the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm at T12. The aortic hiatus means the aorta doesn’t get compressed by the diaphragm when it contracts.
Describe the vascular network of the thoracic cavity
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Label and explain the vessels of the trunk
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Describe the upper limb arteries.
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