LEC3 Cardiovascular Heart Flashcards
List and describe the 3 layers of the pericardium (external heart anatomy)
1.Fibrous pericardium (outermost layer)
2.Parietal pericardium
3.visceral pericardium
2 and 3 are serous pericardium
List the names and locations of arteries leading into the heart (external heart anatomy)
The heart is supplied by two main coronary arteries, which originate from the aorta. These arteries are:
1. Right Coronary Artery (RCA): It arises from the right side of the aorta and runs along the groove on the surface of the heart known as the right coronary sulcus. It supplies blood to the right atrium, right ventricle, and the bottom portion of the left ventricle.
2. Left Coronary Artery (LCA): It arises from the left side of the aorta and branches into two main arteries:
• Left Anterior Descending (LAD) Artery: This artery runs along the front of the heart, supplying blood to the front and side walls of the left ventricle and the interventricular septum.
• Left Circumflex (LCX) Artery: This artery runs along the left side of the heart and supplies blood to the left atrium and the lateral and posterior walls of the left ventricle.
Both the RCA and LCA supply the heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients, which are vital for the heart to function properly.
List the names and locations of veins leading away from the heart (external heart anatomy)
The heart pumps blood out through a large artery called the aorta. Blood is then carried away from the heart through a network of veins, including:
1 Superior Vena Cava: This vein carries deoxygenated blood from the upper body and empties it into the right atrium of the heart.
2. Inferior Vena Cava: This vein carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body and empties it into the right atrium of the heart.
3. Pulmonary Arteries: These arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs, where it becomes oxygenated.
Coronary circulation
List and describe the arteries that feed the heart and veins that return blood to the heart(external heart anatomy)
Coronary circulation refers to the network of blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. The arteries that feed the heart are called the coronary arteries, while the veins that return blood to the heart are called the cardiac veins. Here are the major coronary arteries and veins:
1. Coronary Arteries:
• Left Coronary Artery (LCA): The left coronary artery originates from the left aortic sinus and branches into the left anterior descending (LAD) artery and the left circumflex artery (LCX). The LAD artery supplies the front and bottom of the left ventricle and the interventricular septum, while the LCX artery supplies the left atrium and the lateral and posterior walls of the left ventricle.
• Right Coronary Artery (RCA): The right coronary artery originates from the right aortic sinus and runs along the groove on the surface of the heart known as the right coronary sulcus. It supplies blood to the right atrium, right ventricle, and the bottom portion of the left ventricle.
2. Cardiac Veins:
• Great Cardiac Vein: This vein runs along the anterior interventricular groove and drains blood from the front of the heart.
• Middle Cardiac Vein: This vein runs along the posterior interventricular groove and drains blood from the back of the heart.
• Small Cardiac Vein: This vein runs along the right atrium and drains blood from the right ventricle.
• Coronary Sinus: This vein is a large vessel that runs along the posterior surface of the heart and drains blood from the great, middle, and small cardiac veins. The coronary sinus empties into the right atrium.
In addition to these arteries and veins, there are also smaller branches of the coronary circulation that supply blood to specific areas of the heart. The coronary circulation is essential for maintaining the health and funct ion of the heart muscle.
List and describe the three layers of the heart wall (internal heart anatomy)
The heart wall is made up of three layers:
1 Epicardium: This is the outermost layer of the heart wall, also known as the visceral layer of the serous pericardium. It is a thin layer of connective tissue covered by a layer of mesothelial cells, which produce a serous fluid that lubricates and reduces friction during heart contractions. The epicardium also contains blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics that supply and innervate the heart.
2 Myocardium: This is the middle layer of the heart wall and is composed of cardiac muscle fibers. The myocardium is responsible for the contractions of the heart that pump blood throughout the body. The thickness of the myocardium varies in different regions of the heart depending on the workload of that area.
3 Endocardium: This is the innermost layer of the heart wall, consisting of a thin layer of endothelial cells that line the interior surface of the heart chambers and the heart valves. The endocardium is continuous with the inner lining of the blood vessels that enter and leave the heart. It provides a smooth surface that minimizes friction as blood flows through the heart.
Together, these three layers work in coordination to maintain the proper functioning of the heart, allowing it to pump blood throughout the body efficiently and effectively.
Describe location and functions of the atria (internal heart anatomy)
The atria are two of the four chambers of the heart and are located at the top of the heart, above the ventricles. They are separated from each other by the interatrial septum. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body through the superior and inferior vena cavae, while the left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs through the pulmonary veins.
The main function of the atria is to receive and temporarily store blood that is returning to the heart. The walls of the atria are thin and elastic, allowing them to expand and accommodate the incoming blood. When the atria are filled to their maximum capacity, they contract to pump the blood into the ventricles. The contraction of the atria is initiated by the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the right atrium and acts as the natural pacemaker of the heart. The SA node generates electrical impulses that cause the atria to contract and then spread to the ventricles, triggering their contraction.
The atria play an important role in the circulation of blood by helping to regulate the flow of blood through the heart. They act as a holding chamber for blood, allowing it to accumulate and then move on to the ventricles in a controlled manner. This allows the ventricles to pump blood out to the body with greater efficiency, ensuring that the body’s organs and tissues receive the necessary oxygen and nutrients to function properly.
