CVS- Heart Anatomy

Question 0

What is the pericardium?

Answer 0

A fibroserous membrane in the medial mediastinum which covers the heart and the great vessels.

Question 1

What is the mediastinum?

Answer 1

The central part of the thoracic cavity, between the two lungs

Question 2

What are the two layers of the pericardium?

Answer 2

Fibropericardium

Serouspericardium

Question 3

Describe the fibrous pericardium

Answer 3

The outer layer of the pericardium made of loose and dense CT
It is continuous with the diaphragm to anchor the heart in place.
It is tough to protect the heart

Question 4

Describe the serous pericardium

Answer 4

Composed of mesothelium arranged in a continuous loop.
The outer layer of the loop is called the parietal layer whilst the inner layer (touching the myocardium) is called the visceral layer.
The space between the two layers is filled with serous fluid to protect the heart.

Question 5

Which nerve passes down between the lung and the heart to reach the diaphragm?

Answer 5

The phrenic nerve.

Question 6

Which nerves innervate the heart?

Answer 6

Cardiac nerve (sympathetic action) 
Vagus nerve (parasympathetic action)

Question 7

How does widening of the mediastinum occur?

Answer 7

This occurs when venous return is higher than cardiac output leading to hypertrophy of the heart.

Question 8

What is pericardial effusion?

Answer 8

This is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardial cavity.

Question 9

How does cardiac tamponade occur?

Answer 9

If extensive pericardial effusion exists this comprises the expansion of the heart. This limits the amount of blood the heart can receive.
Or blood in the pericardial cavity - either from a stab wound to the heart, perforation of area after MI.
This is especially lethal due to the high pressure involved.
The neck veins become engorged because of the back up of blood.

Question 10

What is pericarditis?

Answer 10

Inflammation of the pericardium and may make the serous pericardium rough.
Friction can be heard like a rustle of silk down a stethoscope.
Chronically this may calcify leading to seriously reduced cardiac activity

Question 11

What is pericardiocentesis?

Hint procedure

Answer 11

This is the draining of fluid from the pericardial cavity with a wide bore needle.

Question 12

Which great vessel leaves the left ventricle carrying oxygenated blood?

Answer 12

Aorta

Question 13

Which great vessels bring oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium?

Answer 13

Right and left superior and inferior pulmonary veins

Question 14

Which great vessel brings deoxygenated blood back from the body tissues and enters the right atrium?

Answer 14

Vena cava

Question 15

Which great vessel leaves the right ventricle to carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs?

Answer 15

The pulmonary artery (right and left)

Question 16

What is the name of the valve between the LA and LV ?

Answer 16

Mitral valve

Question 17

What is the name of the valve between the LV and the next if the aorta?

Answer 17

Aortic valve

Question 18

What is the name of the valve between the RA and RV?

Answer 18

Tricuspid valve

Question 19

What is the name of the valve between the RV and the pulmonary artery?

Answer 19

Pulmonary valve

Question 20

What are the left coronary arteries called? And where do they cover?

Answer 20

The left coronary artery is branched into the -
Left anterior descending - passes to apex, covers LV + RV
Left circumflex - mainly left atrium
Left marginal - left ventricle

Question 21

What are the branches of the RCA, send where do they cover?

Answer 21

Right marginal - right ventricle and apex

Right posterior interventricular branch - RV + LV

Question 22

What are the coronary veins and where do they cover?

Answer 22

Coronary sinus - posterior, all veins run into this
Great cardiac vein - LA LV
Middle cardiac vein - posterior
Small cardiac vein - RV