CV system Flashcards
What is the anatomical position of the mediastinum?
Extends from the superior thoracic aperture to the diaphragm and from the sternum and costal cartilages to the bodies of the thoracic vertebrae
What does the mediastinum consist of?
Hollow visceral structures joined by loose connective tissue
What does the superior mediastinum contain?
The roots of the great vessels and the trachea
What is the anatomical position of the superior mediastinum
Extends inferiorly from the superior thoracic aperture to the horizontal plane which includes the sternal angle and passes approximately through the junction of T4 and 5
Which section of the mediastinum contains the heart?
The middle mediastinum
What is the pericardium?
A fibrous sac that encloses the heart and pericardial cavity
What does the outer fibrous pericardium do?
Protects the heart from damage caused by overfilling
What are the two deep layers of the serous pericardium?
The parietal and visceral layer
What are the parietal and visceral layers also known as?
Epicardium
What do the parietal and visceral layers do?
Enclose the fluid filled pericardial cavity which allows the heart to beat in an almost frictionless environment
Where does blood leave the heart from when travelling to the lungs?
The right ventricle
What vessels does the heart travel to the lungs by?
Right and left pulmonary arteries via pulmonary trunk
What vessels takes blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart?
Pulmonary veins
Where does oxygen rich blood leave the heart from?
The left ventricle
Where does de-oxygenated blood return to the heart to and via which vessel?
Right atrium - inferior/superior vena cava
What is contraction of the ventricles known as?
Systole
What is relocation of the ventricles known as?
Diastole
What is the heart formed from?
Specialised cardiac muscle known as myocardium
What are the layers of the heart (from superficial to deep)?
Epicardium, myocardium, endocardium
What is epicardium?
Connective tissue
What is myocardium?
Cardiac muscle
What is endocardium?
epithelium and connective tissue.
Lines heart and its valves
Continuous with endothelial lining of blood vessels
How do the walls of the ventricles compare to the atria?
They are thicker and muscular
Which ventricle is particularly muscular and why?
The left as it is required to pump blood around the systemic circulation