HEART LAB Flashcards
What organ is the center of the cardiovascular system?
the heart
Where is the heart located?
the heart is located between the lungs and deep within the mediastinum of the thorax
Where is the mediastinum specifically located?
the mediastinum is located between the sternum, lungs, and thoracic vertebrae
What is the “pointy” portion of the heart called?
the pointy end is called the apex and extends to the left where it rests of the diaphragm next to the fifth intercostal space
What is the superior portion of the heart called?
the superior portion of the heart is called the base and it lies beneath the second rib; it is where the great vessels emerge
What are vessels that return blood to the heart called?
vessels that return blood to the heart are called veins
What are vessels that carry blood away from the heart called?
vessels that carry blood away from the heart are called arteries
Parietal Pericardium/ Pericardial Sac
the double-walled sac that you would find if you opened the chest cavity; the initial structure
What are the two layers of the pericardial sac called?
the tough outer layer is called the “fibrous percardium” which anchors the heart to the mediastinum; the thin inner layer is called the “serous pericardium” that follows the outer layer of the heart
Pericardial/ Serous Fluid
pericardial/ serous fluid allows the heart to beat relatively frictionless
What is an inflammation of the pericardium called?
an inflammation of the pericardium is called “pericarditis”
What would to the heart in the event of pericarditis?
in the event of pericarditis, the membranes of the heart may become dry and produce a painful “friction rub” with each heartbeat
What are the three layers of the heart wall?
the epicardium/ visceral pericardium; the myocardium; and the endocardium
Epicardium/ Visceral Pericardium
the thin, transparent outer layer of the heart
Myocardium
the middle layer of the heart wall responsible for contraction; the cardiac muscle of the heart
Endocardium
the thin layer of the endothelium that lines the inside of the myocardium and covers the valves; most internal layer of the heart walls
How many chambers is the heart divided into?
the heart is divided into four chambers
What are the four chambers of the heart?
the right/ left atrium and the right/left ventricles
What is an auricle?
the external earlike flap that covers each atrium
What separates the atriums from each other?
the atria are separated by a partition called the interatriial septum
Which atrium receives deoxygenated blood?
the right atrium receives deoxygenated blood
Which vessels distribute deoxygenated blood to the right atrium?
the superior/ inferior venae cava and the coronary sinus
What is the coronary sinus?
the coronary sinus is the large vein that carries blood from the cardiac veins to the right atrium
Which atrium receives oxygenated blood?
the left atrium receives oxygenated blood?
Which vessels distribute oxygenated blood to the left atrium?
the left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the four pulmonary veins
Patent Foramen Ovale
a small hole in the interatrial septum which allows fetal blood to cross the atria rather than be sent to the lungs
What percentage of adults have unclosed patent foramen ovale?
~25% of adults have unclosed patent foramen ovale which can lead to a stroke later on in life; the hole generally close due to increased bp in the left heart
Which ventricle receives deoxygenated blood?
the right ventricle pumps out deoxygentated blood
What separated the right ventricle from the left ventricle?
the right/ left ventricles are separated by the interventricular septum
Which ventricle receives oxygenated blood?
the left ventricle receives oxygenated blood
Which vessel does the right ventricle pump deoxygenated blood into?
the right ventricle pumps blood into the pulmonary trunk; divides into the right/ left pulmonary arteries
Which vessel does the left ventricle pump blood into?
the left ventricle pumps blood into the aorta
Which vessels distribute newly oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium?
the pulmonary veins transport oxygenated blood into the right atrium
What is the responsibility of the anterior/ posterior interventricular sulcus?
the anterior/ posterior interventricular sulcus separates the ventricle externally
What separates the atria from the ventricles?
the coronary sulcus separates the atria from the ventricles
How many valves does the heart contain?
the heart contains four valves
What are the four valves of the heart?
the tricuspid valve, bicuspid valve, and the pulmonary/ aortic semilunar valves
What is the function of the tricuspid valve?
the tricuspid valve is responsible for allowing blood to flow between the right atrium and right ventricle
What is the function of the bicuspid/ mitral valve?
the bicuspid/ mitral valve is responsible for allowing blood to flow between the left atrium and left ventricle
What is the function of the pulmonary semilunar valve?
the pulmonary semilunar valve is responsible for allowing blood to flow between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery
What is the function of the aortic semilunar valve?
the aortic semilunar valve is responsible for allowing blood to flow between the left ventricle and the aorta
What are chordae tendinae?
chordae tendinae are the tiny white chords that anchor the valves to the papillary muscles
What are papillary muscles?
papillary muscles are the small muscles on the ventricular floors that attach to the chordae tendinae
What is this clinical condition: Valvular Stenosis
valvular stenosis is when the cusps of the heart are stiffened by scar tissue
What is a common cause of valvular stenosis?
a common cause of valvular stenosis is rheumatic fever
What is the result of valvular stenosis?
the result of valvular stenosis is blood regurgitation and the subsequent “heart murmur”
How does the heart get the nutrients it needs to sustain itself?
the heart get its nutrients from the blood in the coronary circulation
The right/ left coronary arteries originate from which vessel?
the right/ left coronary arteries originate from the ascending aorta
The left coronary artery divide into which vessels?
the left coronary divides into both the anterior interventricular branch and the circumflex branch
What is the function of the anterior interventricular branch?
it supplies blood to the right/ left ventricles
What sulcus does the anterior interventricular branch follow?
the anterior interventricular branch follows the anterior interventricular sulcus
What sulcus does the circumflex branch follow?
the circumflex branch follows the coronary sulcus; wrapping around the left side of the heart to the posterior end
What is the function of the circumflex branch?
the circumflex branch supplies blood to the left atrium and the posterior wall of the left ventricle
Which vessel does the left marginal branch originate from?
the left marginal branch originates from the circumflex branch and passes down the left side of the heart
What is the function of the left marginal branch?
the left marginal branch is responsible for supplying blood to the left ventricle
What is the function of the right coronary artery?
the right coronary artery is responsible for supplying blood to the right atrium and sinoatrial node (pacemaker)
The right coronary artery divides into which vessels?
the right coronary artery divides into both the posterior interventricular branch and the right marginal branch
What is the function of the posterior interventricular branch?
the posterior interventricular branch is responsible for supplying blood to the posterior walls of the right/left ventricles
Which sulcus does the posterior interventricular branch follow?
the posterior interventricular branch follows the posterior interventricular sulcus
What is the function of the right marginal branch?
the right marginal branch supplies blood to the lateral aspect of the right atrium and right ventricle
What pathway does the right marginal vein follow?
the right marginal vein runs towards the apex of the heart; located anteriorly
What is the cause of many heart problems?
abnormal coronary circulation
What is the clinical condition: angina pectoris
angina pectoris is an obstruction of the coronary blood flow that causes chest pains
What are the symptoms of angina pectoris?
angina pectoris can result in a sense of heaviness/ pain in the chest
What is the clinical condition: ischemia
a lack of blood flow to the cardiac muscle
When does ischemia typically occur?
ischemia typically occurs when a partially blocked coronary artery constricts
What is the clinical condition: myocardial infarction
a myocardial infarction “heart attack” is the death of a portion of the myocardium (heart muscle)
What is the cause of myocardium death?
myocardium death is the result of a long-term obstruction of a coronary circulation
What percentage of deaths in the US is due to myocardial infarctions “heart attacks”?
myocardial infarctions cause ~50% of all deaths in the united states
