Module 16 Flashcards
Position of the Heart
The heart is close to the midline-
- The center is slightly to the left of the midline
- At about the same level as the nipples
- About the size and shape of a closed fist.
The heart lies in the cavity called the mediastinum
- Mediastinum = thoracic cavity minus pleural cavity
- Mediastinum includes esophagus, thymus, great vessels of heart and heart.
Cross-Sectional Anatomy of the Heart
The Heart is within a “slippery bag.” This membrane is called the pericardium.
- The relationship of the esophagus and heart in the mediastinum makes transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) possible.
What are the 4 layers of the Heart wall?
Endocardium
- A thin layer of simple squamous epithelium lining the inside of the heart over a thin layer of connective tissue.
Myocardium
- The muscular wall of the heart. Makes up 95% of the heart and is responsible for the pumping action
Epicardium
- The thin outermost layer, a delicate membrane of epithelial and connective tissue giving the heart a slippery covering.
- This layer is synonymous with the visceral layer of the pericardial covering
Pericardium
- Parietal layer of serous percardium
- fibrous percardium
Endocardium Diseases
The endocardium can develop chronic infections. Patients at risk for endocarditis (e.g. transplanted heart valve), or who have history of infective endocarditis, should receive antibiotics prior to dental cleanings.
Pericardium
Surrounds and protects the heart. It consists of a deeper serous pericardium, and the outermost fibrous pericardium.
- The serous pericardium has 2 layers, the deeper visceral layer covers the heart and is synonymous with the epicardium. The parietal layer is fused to the fibrous pericardium.
- Pericardial fluid fills the pericardial cavity between the visceral and parietal layers of the serous pericardium.
Pericardial Effusion
An accumulation of excess fluid in the pericardial space. This may occur due to infections, trauma, or myocardial infarction. This fluid puts pressure on the heart. This pressure may become great enough to prevent the heart from pumping , a condition called cardiac tamponade that is life-threatening.
Cardiac Muscle Tissue
Cardiac muscle, like skeletal muscle, is striated. Unlike skeletal muscle, cardiac fibers are shorter, branch, and have one centrally located nucleus.
- Have intercalated discs for structural strength and connect neighboring fibers.
- The discs contain desmosomes which hold fibers together, and gap junctions which allow muscle action potentials to travel between fibers.
- Cardiac muscle cells contain more and larger mitochondria than skeletal muscle.
What are the 4 chambers of the heart?
The atria are in the superior portion of the heart and are holding chambers for blood. The ventricles are in the inferior portion of the heart and pump blood to the lungs and body.
- Right atrium
- Left atrium
- Right ventricle
- Left ventricle
Right Atrium
This chamber receives deoxygenated blood from the body.
Left Atrium
This chamber receives oxygenated blood from the lungs
Right Ventricle
This chamber receives blood from the right atrium. It’s job is to pump deoxygenated blood out to the lungs.
Left Ventricle
This chamber receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium. It’s job is to pump oxygenated blood out to the body.
What are the 4 valves of the heart?
Tricuspid Valve
- Right Atrium to Right Ventricle
Pulmonary Valve
- Right Ventricle to Pulmonary Trunk
Mitral Valve (bicuspid valve) - Left Atrium to Left Ventricle
Aortic Valve
- Left Ventricle to Aorta
What are the names of the valves and chambers that operate in pairs?
- Atrioventricular Valves (AV): These valves control the flow of blood between the atria and the ventricles.
- Semilunar (outflow) Valves: These valves control the flow of blood leaving the heart from the ventricles
Atrioventricular Valves (AV)
Control the flow of blood between the atria and the ventricles:
- Right Atrioventricular Valve (AV) or tricuspid valve: Between the right atria and right ventricle
- Left Atrioventricular Valve (AV), bicuspid valve, or mitral valve: Between the left atria and left ventricle.
Semilunar (outflow) Valves
Control the flow of blood leaving the heart from the ventricles:
- Pulmonary Semilunar Valve: Regulates blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary trunk (out to the pulmonary circulation)
- Aortic Semilunar Valve: Regulates blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta (out to the systemic circulation)
Functions of Atria
Atria function as reservoirs and filling chambers
- thin walls, little muscle tone
- right atrium: receives deoxygenated blood from body
- left atrium: receives oxygenated blood from lungs
- small amount of pumping action called atrial “kick
Functions of Ventricles
Ventricles function as pumps
- Right Ventricle: Pumps to lungs
- Left Ventricle: Pumps to body
Functions of the Chambers and the Valves
Valves regulate flow of blood between chambers and out of the heart. Valves do not actively open, rather, they are pushed open by increased pressure.
Atrioventricular (AV) valves between atrium and ventricle
- Tricuspid valve between right atrium and right ventricle
- Mitral (bicuspid) valve between left atrium and left ventricle
Outflow valves between ventricle and other organs
- Pulmonary valve to pulmonary trunk (then to lungs)
- Aortic valve to aorta (then to body)
Functions of the Chambers
Ventricals are pumping chambers
- Right ventricle pumps short distance and against low pressure to lungs
- Left ventricle pumps long distance and against large pressure to body
- Therefore, left ventricle muscle wall very thick compared to right
What are the 4 Great Vessels?
- Pulmonary Trunk
- Pulmonary Vein
- Aorta
- Venae Cavae
The great vessels of the heart bring blood to and away from the heart. Veins carry blood towards the heart, arteries carry blood away from the heart.
Pulmonary Trunk
Carries deoxygenated blood to lungs
- divides into pulmonary arteries (left and right)
- named “arteries” because they lead away from the heart
Pulmonary Vein
Carries oxygenated blood from lungs
- Named “veins” because they lead back to the heart
Aorta
Takes blood away from left ventricle of heart to body
- ascending, arch, and descending portions