CVS Session 1: anatomy and histology Flashcards
What are the factors that affect diffusion?
- Area for exchange: determined by capillary density and generally not limiting as area usually very large
- Diffusion resistance: affected by nature of molecule, nature of the barrier and the diffusion distance. For small molecules this is usually not limiting
- Concentration gradient: between capillary blood and tissues. Must be maintained at a high concentration to have high diffusion rate, by rate of flow
How does rate of blood flow (perfusion rate) vary between tissues?
Increased metabolism must be met by increased blood flow to ensure adequate oxygen and nutrients
Brain-high constant flow
Heart-flow increases during exercise
Kidneys-high constant flow
Skeletal muscle-very high during exercise
Gut-high after a meal
Skin-increases to control temperature
What is normal cardiac output at rest and how high can it rise during exercise?
5L per minute, can increased to a maximum of 25L per minute (for athletes this could be a few litres higher)
What is the distribution of blood in the vascular system?
67% veins
17% heart and lungs
11% arteries and arterioles
5% capillaries
Describe the main components of the cardiovascular system
Pump-heart
Distribution system-arteries and blood
Exchange mechanism-capillaries
Flow control-arterioles and pre-capillary sphincters
What is resistance?
Reduces the ease with which some regions are perfused in order to direct flow elsewhere (e.g. brain is harder to perfuse because of gravity)
Arterioles and pre-capillary sphincters add it to the CVS
What is capacitance?
A temporary blood store that can be returned to the heart at a different rate in order to control the total flow in a system.
Veins provide it as thin walls with smooth muscle can easily distend or collapse
Why is the heart 2 pumps in series?
Left pumps blood around systemic circulation, right pumps blood around pulmonary circulation. Circulation is from high to low pressure then back to heart.
The heart lies in the middle mediastinum. What is this?
The region in the thoracic cavity between the right and left pleural cavities. Contains the pericardial sac
What does the pericardium contain?
The heart and the beginning of the great vessels
Describe the fibrous pericardium
Tough external layer. Continuous with the central tendon of diaphragm, relatively non-distensible, prevents overfilling
What is cardiac tamponade caused by?
Pericardial effusion or haemopericardium (due to perforation of a weakened area of heart from MI, surgery or stab wound) causes an accumulation of fluid, compressing the heart because of the non-distensibility of the fibrous pericardial sac.
Quickly becomes lethal as circulation fails due to the backup of blood, beginning where the SVC enters the pericardium
Describe the serous pericardium
Inner layer split itself into two layers, separated by the pericardial cavity which contains a small amount of lubricating fluid to minimise friction.
Outer parietal layer: lines internal surface of fibrous pericardium
Inner visceral layer: forms epicardium (shiny outer layer of the heart)
Functions of the pericardium?
- Holds heart in place as is attached to diaphragm, sternum and tunica adventitia of great vessels
- Prevents overfilling
- Lubrication-reduces friction as heart beats
- Protection from infection (e.g. from lungs)
What is the innervation of the pericardium?
Phrenic nerve-C3,4,5
Also provides motor and sensory innervation to diaphragm
Source of referred pain e.g. shoulder pain in pericarditis
Describe the main features of the transverse pericardial sinus
Location: posterior to ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk, anterior to SVC, superior to left atrium
Formed during embryonic folding
Function: separates arterial and venous vessels
Clinical use: to identify and ligate arteries during coronary artery bypass grafting
What is pericarditis?
Inflammation of the pericardium, may make serous pericardium causing friction audible on auscultation.
Symptoms/signs: chest pain, pericardial friction rub on auscultation
Chronic cases may calcify, reducing cardiac efficiency
What is pericardial effusion?
Fluid from pericardial capillaries enters pericardial cavity, or pus.
Heart compressed and ineffective
Due to inflammation or congestive heart failure (where venous return is greater than cardiac output due to right heart hypertension)
Describe the main features of the oblique pericardial sinus
A pericardial reflection surrounding the veins of the heart. A pocket-like space posterior to the base of the heart (at top), formed by the left atrium.
Bounded laterally by reflection surrounding pulmonary veins and IVC, and posteriorly by the pericardium overlying the anterior oesophagus
Can be felt inferiorly but is a blind sac
What makes up the endocardium?
Thin endothelium and connective tissue, covers valves
What makes up the myocardium?
Thick, helical cardiac muscle forming the main walls
What makes up the epicardium?
Thin mesothelium formed by the visceral layer of the serous pericardium
Describe the orientation of the heart, a ‘pyramid that’s fallen over’
Apex-pounts in an anterior-inferior direction
Anterior/sternocostal: right ventricle
Posterior/base: left atrium
Inferior/diaphragmatic: left and right ventricles
Right pulmonary: right atrium
Left pulmonary: left atrium
What are the borders of the heart?
Right-right atrium
Left-left ventricle and part of left atrium
Inferior-right ventricle (v. small contribution from left)
Superior: right and left atria and the great vessels
What are cardiac sulci?
Grooves on the surface created by the chambers.
What is the coronary sulcus?
AKA atrioventricular groove. Runs transversely around the heart