Heart and Greater Vessels

Question 1

What level does the trachea bifurcate?

Answer 1

T5 and T7

Question 2

What is the function of the recurrent laryngeal nerve?

Answer 2

Branches off vagus nerve

- Supplies innervation to all intrinsic muscles of the larynx except cricothyroid muscles

Question 3

Is the pulmonary plexus sympathetic or parasympathetic fibres?

Answer 3

Parasympathetic fibres and visceral sensory fibres

Question 4

What is pericardial effusion?

Answer 4

Build up of extra fluid in the space around the heart which increases pressure

Question 5

What is cardiac tamponade?

Answer 5

Decreased efficiency in heart pumping due to fluid build up in the pericardial sac

Question 6

Describe the innervation of the mediastinum

Answer 6

Phrenic nerve - anterior mediastinum
Vagus nerve - posterior mediastinum - also sends branch that runs under aortic arch- left sided recurrent laryngeal nerve

Question 7

Which coronary artery usually gives the greater supply to the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes of the heart ?

Answer 7

Right coronary artery

Question 8

Where do the coronary arteries arise?

Answer 8

Aortic sinuses