Heart anatomy Flashcards
Position of apex of heart
5th left intercostal space - close to midclavicular line
Position of right heart border
1 cm lateral to the sternum, from 3rd right costal cartilage to 6th right costal cartilage
Position of superior border of heart
2nd left intercostal space to 3rd right costal cartilage
Just inferior to sternal angle
Significance of sternal angle?
Point of articulation of 2nd costal cartilage with body and manubrium of sternum
Surface marking of sternal plane, which is at the level of T4-T5 and separates superior mediastinum from inferior
Marks out bifurcation point of trachea
Marks out end of aortic arch and beginning of descending aorta
Function of pericardial sinus?
Extension of pericardial sac allowing frictionless contraction between atria and posterior mediastinum
Describe the wall of the right atrium (remember the FO also)
Half rough half smooth
Rough bit due to pectinate muscles
Border demarcated by vertical ridge called crista terminalis
Fossa ovalis central depression marking embryological closure site linking atria
How are the walls of the left chambers different?
They are both thicker
LA has smooth wall in inflow tract, and muscular near valves
LV very similar in composition, with trabeculae carnae
Describe the wall of the right ventricle
Muscular - trabeculae carnae
Superior mediastinum deep to superficial, go!
Oesophagus (left vagus runs over)
Distal end of trachea
Arch of aorta - with branches of brachiocephalic, and left common carotid
Superior vena cava with brachiocephalic veins
Phrenic nerves innervating diaphragm
Superior part of thymus
Anterior inferior mediastinum deep to superficial, go!
Pericardial sac
Internal thoracic arteries
Inferior thymus gland
Sternum
Middle inferior mediastinum deep to superficial, go!
Fibrous pericardium bound diaphragm central tendon
Superior vena cava
Ascending aorta
Pulmonary trunk (bound to aorta by ligamentum arteriosum)
Phrenic nerve
Posterior inferior mediastinum deep to superficial, go1
Vertebral column Thoracic duct Thoracic aorta Oesophagus Vagus nerve (left and right associate with oesophagus to form oesophageal plexus)
Where does the recurrent laryngeal nerve come from?
Branches of the left vagus in the posterior inferior mediastinum to loop under the aorta and innervate the larynx
