Heart Flashcards
What are the big picture ideas of the heart?
Location Pericardium External Structure Circulation Internal Structure Coronary Circulation Conduction
Describe the location of the heart
Superiorly - the heart is suspended in the rib cage by the great vessels
Anteriorly - body of the sternum and the thymus
Anterolateral/lateral/posterolateral - lungs and its pleura
Posteriorly - right and left lung/esophagus/aorta
Inferiorly - inferior vena cava penetrates diaphragm on the right side - diaphragmatic portion of parietal pericardium/pericardial sac is fused with central tendon of the diaphragm
Describe what is superior to the heart
The heart is suspended in the rib cage by the great vessels
Describe what is anterior to the heart
The body of the sternum and the thymus
Describe what is anterolateral/lateral/posterolateral to the heart
Lungs and its pleura
Describe what is posterior to the heart
Parts of the lungs
Esophagus
Aorta
Describe what is inferior to the heart and their relationship
Diaphragm - pericardial sac is firmly fused to the central tendon of the diaphragm
What structure of the heart pierces the diaphragm?
Inferior vena cava
What structure encloses the heart and the proximal portion of the great vessels, originating and terminating in the heart, consisting of a parietal and visceral component?
Pericardium
Define and describe the pericardium
Originating and terminating in the heart, the pericardium encloses the heart and the proximal portions of the great vessels - consists of both a parietal and a visceral component
Describe the parietal pericardium
Fibrous pericardium with a serous lining
Describe the visceral pericardium
Inner layer of serous pericardium that covers the origins and terminations of great vessels and the heart
What is another term for visceral pericardium
Epicardium
Describe the pericardial cavity
Between the parietal and the visceral pericardium - surfaces are in contact but are covered in a watery fluid to reduce friction during contractions
What are the external structures of the heart?
Base Apex Coronary Sulcus Anterior and Posterior Interventricular Sulci Auricle Cardiac Fat
Describe the base of the heart
Top of the heart - heart is suspected at its base by the great vessels
Describe the apex of the heart
The apex is the area at which the heart comes to a point at the bottom - points anteriorly, inferiorly, and towards the left
Describe the coronary sulcus of the heart
Groove in the heart separating the ventricles
Describe the anterior and posterior interventricular sulci of the heart
Groove on the anterior and posterior of the heart that divide the right and left ventricles - meeting at the notch near the apex
Describe the auricle of the heart
An appendage of the atrium - strong muscles that help empty the atrium
Describe cardiac fat
Varying amounts of fat the occupy the sulci of the heart
In relation to the chambers of the heart, which is mostly posterior?
Left atrium
In relation to the chambers of the heart, which sits most anteriorly, occupying most of the sternocostal surface?
Right ventricle
In regards to basic circulation by the heart, what are the primary divisions?
Systemic circulation
Pulmonary Circulation
What are the internal structures of the heart?
Left and Right Atria
Left and Right Ventricles
What are the main functions of atria of the heart?
Receive blood
What are the main functions of the ventricles of the heart?
Pump blood to body and lungs
What is the sequence of blood flow in the heart?
Right atrium to right ventricle to the lungs for oxygenation back to the left atrium to the left ventricle to pump to the body
What are the parts of the right atrium of the heart?
Principal cavity
Auricle