Heart and Mediastinum Flashcards
Which part of the mediastinum contains the thymus?
Anterior mediastinum
Until what vertebrae does the posterior mediastinum continue until?
12th thoracic vertebrae
What is held in the superior mediastinum?
Arch of aorta, great vessels, trachea, oesophagus, thoracic duct, phrenic and vagus nerves
How do the phrenic and vagus n pass through the mediastinum compared to the hilum of the lungs?
Phrenic - anterior
Vagus - posterior to subclavian vessels
What is held in the anterior mediastinum?
Internal thoracic vessels, fat, connective tissue, maybe some thymus
What arteries can be used for CABG?
Internal thoracic arteries
In child x-rays, what is the sign to recognise the thymus gland?
‘Sail’ sign - normal - shrinks in adults
What is held in the posterior mediastinum?
Oesophagus and plexus, descending aorta, thoracic duct, sympathetic chain and azygous system
What is held in the middle mediastinum?
Heart, pericardium, origins of the great vessels and phrenic nerves
What is the pericardium composed of?
Fibrous pericardium - tough outer connective tissue
Serous pericardium - visceral and parietal layers
What forms the pericardial cavity and what does it contain?
Between the parietal and visceral layers - lubricating pericardial serous fluid
What can be used in surgery to clamp arterial flow of the heart?
Transverse pericardial sinus (separates arteries from veins)
How do papillary muscles help valves?
Papillary muscles are extensions of ventricular wall, CONTRACT - prevent blood to black flow into atria during ventricular systole (Unidirectional flow)
What are the main functions of the fibrous cardiac skeleton?
Mechanical stability Electrical insulation (stop conduction from atria to ven) Anchor point for cardiac muscle and valve cusps AV node is only route for signal conduction
How many cusps do the aortic and pulmonary valves have?
3 cusps - semi-lunar