Gross anatomy of the heart

Question 1

Atria (both) - 4

Answer 1

Interatrial septum
Fossa ovalis in interatrial septum
Musculi pectinati (pectinate muscles)
Auricle/atrial appendage

Question 2

Interatrial septum

Answer 2

Septum separating right and left atrium

Question 3

Fossa ovalis

Answer 3

Embryological remnant of foramen ovale

- allowed blood in umbilical vein to bypass pulmonary circulation

Question 4

Musculi pectinati

Answer 4

Increase power of contraction without greatly increasing heart mass

Question 5

Auricle/atrial appendage

Answer 5

Increases the capacity of the atrium

Question 6

Right atria only (2)

Answer 6

• Openings for IVC, SVC and coronary sinus

- Tricuspid valve

Question 7

Left atria only (3)

Answer 7

• Openings for left and right, superior and inferior pulmonary veins
• Bicuspid (mitral) valve
• Forms the base of the heart (lies wholly postero-superiorly against oesophagus)

Question 8

Ventricles (both) - 4

Answer 8

Interventricular septum
Trabeculae carneae
Papillary muscles
Chordae tendineae

Question 9

Interventricular septum

Answer 9

Septum separating the right and left ventricles

Question 10

Trabeculae carneae

Answer 10

Function is most likely to prevent suction that would occur with a flat surface and thus impair the heart’s ability to pump efficiently

Question 11

Papillary muscles

Answer 11

Specialised form of trabeculae carneae.

Contract, tightening the chord tendineae, preventing inversion of the AV valves

Question 12

Chordae tendineae

Answer 12

Tough, tendinous strands in the heart.

Attach papillary muscles to the valve cusps

Question 13

Relative bulk of ventricles

Answer 13

Myocardium is thicker to generate higher BPs.

Question 14

Right ventricle only (5)

Answer 14

• Triscuspid valve (3 cusps)
• 3 papillary muscles
• Moderator band/septomarginal trabeculum (carries part of the right bundle branch of the AV bundle of the conduction system from the interventricular septum to the anterior papillary muscle/anterior wall of RV)
• Opening for pulmonary trunk
• Pulmonary valve

Question 15

Left ventricle only

Answer 15

• Bicuspid valve (2 cusps)
• 2 papillary muscles
• Opening for aorta
• Aortic valve
• Wall 3x as thick as RV
• Forms apex of the heart

Question 16

Pulmonary veins: function

Answer 16

Veins that transfer oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart
- Right superior: right upper and middle lobes
- Left superior: left upper lobe and lingula
Right and left inferior: lower lobes