Heart - Surfaces and Borders

Question 1

Orientation and surfaces?`

Answer 1

The heart has been described as ‘pyramid which has fallen over’. The apex of this pyramid is pointing in anterior-inferior direction.

In its typical anatomical orientation, the heart has 5 surfaces, formed by different internal divisions of the heart:

• Anterior - right ventricle
• Posterior - left atrium
• Inferior (or diaphragmatic) - left and right ventricles
• RIght pulmonary - right atrium
• Left pulmonary - left ventricle

Question 2

Borders?

Answer 2

Separating the surfaces of the heart are its borders. THere are four main borders of the heart:

• Right border - right atrium
• Inferior border - left ventricle and right ventricle
• Left border - left ventricle (and some of the left atrium)
• Superior border - right and left atrium and the great vessels

Question 3

Sulci of the heart?

Answer 3

The heart is a hollow structure. On the interior, it is divided into four chambers. These divisions create grooves on the surface of the heart - these are known as sulci.

The coronary sulcus (or atrioventricular groove) runs transversely around the heart - it represents the wall dividing the atria from the ventricles. The sulcus contains important vasculature such as the right coronary artery.

The anterior and posterior interventricular sulci can be found running vertically on their respective sides of the heart. They represent the wall separating the ventricles.

Question 4

Pericardial sinuses?

Answer 4

The pericardial sinuses are not the same as ‘anatomical sinuses’ (such as the paranasal sinuses). They are passageways formed the unique way in which the pericardium folds around the great vessels.

• The oblique pericardial sinus is a blind ending passageway located on the posterior surface of the heart.
• The transverse pericardial sinus is found superiorly on the heart. It can be used in coronary artery bypass grafting.

Question 5

Clinical relevance - Transverse pericardial sinus?

Answer 5

The location of the transverse pericardial sinus is:

• Posterior to the ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk.
• Anterior to the SVC
• Superior to the left atrium

In this position, the transverse pericardial sinus separates the arterial vessels (aorta, pulmonary trunk) and the venous vessels (SVC and pulmonary veins) of the heart.

This can be used to identify and subsequently ligate (tie off) the arteries of the heart during coronary artery bypass grafting.