Pericardium Flashcards
What is the pericardium?
Fibroserous sac which encloses the heart and great vessels
What is the strong, dense outer part of the pericardium called?
Fibrous pericardium
The fibrous pericardium layer blends with what features?
Central tendon of diaphragm and walls of great vessels that pierce it
What is continuous with the fibrous pericardium?
Pretracheal fascia
What is significant about the fibrous pericardium’s inability to stretch?
Acts as protective function to maintain position of the heart in the thorax (cardiac seatbelt)
What connects the fibrous pericardium to the back of the sternum?
Sternopericardial ligaments
What are the three “parts” of the serous pericardium?
Parietal layer, pericardial cavity, and visceral layer
What lines the inner surface of the fibrous pericardium?
Parietal layer of the serous pericardium
Which layer of the serous pericardium is slippery and secretes serous fluid?
Parietal layer of the serous pericardium
What is the potential space between the parietal and visceral layers of the serous pericardium called?
Pericardial cavity
What should be the only contents of the pericardial cavity?
Serous fluid
What is the purpose of the serous fluid in the pericardial cavity?
Allows expansion and movement
What is the layer called that is adherent to the outer surface of the heart?
Visceral layer or epicardium
What is the myocardium?
Spiral arrangement of cardiac muscle fibers of the heart
What is the endocardium?
The smooth endothelium which lines the inside of the heart
How many chambers are in the human heart?
4
What is cardiac tamponade?
When pressure builds up on the heart as a result of fluid accumulation in the pericardial cavity
What can occur to the venous system during cardiac tamponade?
Venous return can be impeded
What vein is particularly vulnerable with cardiac tamponade?
Superior vena cava
What is a visual sign of cardiac tamponade?
The external jugular vein becomes prominent and eventually all veins of the face and neck become engorged
Which pericardial sinus lies posterior to the aorta and pulmonary trunk, and anterior to the superior vena cava and left atrium?
Transverse pericardial sinus
Which pericardial sinus lies posterior to the heart and is surrounded by the left and right pulmonary veins and inferior vena cava?
Oblique pericardial sinus
What is the most important artery involved in the blood supply to the pericardium?
Percardiacophrenic artery
What are the arteries that make up the blood supply of the pericardium?
Pericardiacophrenic, bronchial, esophageal, and coronary arteries
What is the only thing that the coronary arteries supply?
Visceral layer of the serous pericardium
What is the sensory innervation of the pericardium?
Phrenic nerve
What is the vasomotor innervation of the pericardium?
Sympathetic trunk
What is the innervation of the pericardium?
Phrenic nerve, sympathetic trunk, and vagus nerve
What does the phrenic nerve pass through?
Parietal pleura and fibrous pericardium
Where can pericardial pain be felt?
Behind the sternum
Which is less sensitive to pain: pleura or pericardium?
Pericardium
What can distinguish pericardial friction rub from pleuritic?
Sounds disappear when breath is held with pleuritis
What is significant of pericarditis?
Always serious and possibly life-threatening
