Pericardium Flashcards
What is the heart covered by?
The pericardium
How many pericardia does the heart have?
2
What are the hearts 2 pericardia?
Fibrous and serous pericardium
What are the similarities and differences from the hearts pericardia to other organs?
Similarities: outer parietal and inner visceral serous layers are composed of simple epithelium
Differences: the heart has an additional outermost fibrous connective tissue layer = fibrous pericardium
What are the layers of the heart?
Inner endocardium, middle myocardium, serous pericardium and fibrous pericardium
What is the inner endocardium composed of?
Single layer of simple squamous epithelium
What is the middle myocardium composed of?
Many layers of cardiac muscle
What is the serous pericardium composed of?
Inner visceral pericardium (epicardium): endothelial cells and a thin layer of fat and connective tissue
Pericardial cavity: fluid between layers
Outer parietal pericardium
What is the outer most layer of the heart?
Fibrous pericardium
What layer belongs simultaneously to the heart wall and the serous pericardium?
Fibrous pericardium
Which layer of the serous pericardium is inseparably attached to the inner aspect of the fibrous pericardium?
Parietal layer
What protective role is fulfilled by the fibrous pericardium?
Acts as an anchor for the heart and keeps it restricted to the chest cavity and also prevents over expansion of the heart
What innervation does the visceral pericardium receive?
Autonomic innervation and vagus
Where does autonomic innervation for the heart come from?
T1-T4 nerves
Where does the vagus innervation for the heart come via?
The cardiac plexus
Where can the vagus nerve be found?
Lying on the aortic arch on the left side
What are the parietal and fibrous layers innervated by?
Phrenic nerve
Where can the phrenic nerve be found?
Embedded in the fibrous pericardium on the lateral side of the heart
What layers of the pericardium are innervated by pain fibres?
Fibrous pericardium and parietal layer of serous pericardium
