heart and mediastinum Flashcards
Type of circulation in each side of heart
right- pulmonary
left- systemic
resistance and pressure in each side of heart
right- low resistance, pressure= 20mmHg
left- high/variable resistance, pressure= 130mmHg
Brief organisation and passage of blood in heart chambers
right atrium- receives deoxygenated blood from inferior and superior vena cava
blood passes through tricuspid valve into the right ventricle
leaves right ventricle via pulmonary trunk- goes to lungs
oxygenated blood passes into left atrium via pulmonary vein
passes through bicuspid valve into the left venticle
leaves via aorta
mediastinum definition
space between the lungs in the thoracic cavity where the heart is located
How is the heart separated from other mediastinal structures?
separated by a tough membrane known as the pericardium/ pericardial sac
Where does the heart sit?
Within the pericardial cavity, present in the mediastinum
Structure of pericardium
double walled sac, containing the heart and roots of the great vessels
two layers- serous layer and fibrous layer
encloses the pericardial cavity which contains pericardial fluid
structure of fibrous pericardium + function
- most superficial dense, loose connective tissue. Continuous with outer adventitial layer of great blood vessels
- protects the heart, anchors it to surrounding walls, prevents the overfilling with blood
two layers of serous pericardium + overall function
- divided into two layers- parietal and visceral
lubricates the heart to prevent friction during activity
parietal pericardium structure + function
fused to and inseparable from the fibrous pericardium
visceral pericardium structure + function
extends to the beginning of the great vessels- becoming one with the parietal layer- at the aorta and pulmonary trunk and the superior and inferior cavas enter the heart
visceral layer comes into contact with the heart- forming the epicardium. made of connective tissue and functions as a protective layer
consists of a simple squamous epithelium called mesothelium, reinforced with loose, irregular or areolar connective tissue
Where is the pericardial fluid located?
between the parietal and visceral serous pericardium in the pericardial cavity
process of leaving blood to lungs
leaves right ventricle which pumps deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary trunk
bifurcates into left and right pulmonary arteries ( actually 4 in total)
vessels branch many times until they form pulmonary capillaries where gaseous exchange takes place
Process of blood leaving lungs and entering heart
pulmonary capillaries form pulmonary veins
surface features of the heart
auricles, sulci, coronary arteries
structure and functions of auricles
superficial leaf-like extension of the atria near the superior surface of the heart- one on each side
shape resembles a human ear
relatively thin walled structures that can fill with blood and empty into atria or upper chambers of the heart
structures and functions of sulci
series of fat filled grooves along the superior surfaces of the heart
major coronary blood vessels located within the sulcus
Structure and functions of coronary arteries
right and left coronary arteries- with marginal and anterior and posterior interventricular arteries present- supply heart with oxygenated blood
no functional anastomoses
both left and ride originate from the aortic valve at the aortic sinuses
how can the origin of the coronary arteries be viewed?
Dissection
coronary angiogram, where a cannula is inserted with a contrast medium
How is deoxygenated blood leaving the coronary arteries returned to the heart?
coronary sinus- a collection of veins joined together to form a large vessel that collects blood from the myocardium
venae cordis minimae- small vessels that drain directly into the right atrium
coronary sinus structure
starts at junction of the great cardiac vein and the oblique vein of the left atrium- the end of the veins is marked by the Vieussens valve
runs transversely in the left atrioventricular groove on the posterior side of the heart
valve of coronary sinus is on the posterior, inferior surface of the hear, medial to the vena cava opening
Major veins
superior and inferior vena cava, pulmonary veins
What forms the superior vena cava?
formed in superior mediastinum from the right and left brachiocephalic veins
what forms the brachiocephalic veins? + functions
left and right internal jugular vein and left and right subclavian vein
jugular- draining the head
subclavian- draining the upper limb
what forms the inferior vena cava? + FUNCTION
left and right common iliac veins and the azygos vein and venous plexuses next to the spinal cord
deoxygenated blood from abdomen, pelvis and lower limbs
pulmonary veins function + structure
carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium
four main pulmonary veins- two right and two left (two from each lung)
major arteries
aorta and pulmonary artery
pulmonary trunk structure and function
carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs
branches into the right and left pulmonary arteries that each lead to one lobe
function of aorta
carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the whole body
structure of aorta
ascending aorta from left ventricle
aortic arch curving round
descending thoracic aorta
the abdominal aorta