Pericardium and Heart Flashcards
What is the mediastinum? What covers it? What does it contain?
- The mediastinumis the central compartment of the thoracic cavity
- Covered by mediastinal pleura on each side
- Contains all the thoracic viscera structures except lungs
What vertebral level divides superior and inferior mediastinum
Between T4 and T5
Middle mediastinum contents
- Heart
- Roots of great vessels( Ascending aorta, Pulmonary trunk, SVC)
- Pericardium
Pericardium layers (sac)

Fibrous pericardium attaches to diaphragm via
pericardiophrenic ligament
Transverse sinus is between …
- Aorta and pulmonary trunk
- Superior vena cava
Excess fluid in the pericardial cavity
Pericardial effusion
Heart volume is compromised by the rapid increase of fluid within pericardial cavity
Cardiac tamponade
Pericardium arteries and veins
- Supplied by pericardiacophrenic A (runs with phrenic nerve)
- Drained via pericardiacophrenic V
Pericardium innervation
Innervation via phrenic N (C3-C5)
Name Sulci


Location of apex of heart
- Anterior and to left
- Posterior to 5thintercostal space
3 heart surfaces











Location of tricuspid valve. What attache to it?
- Occupies right AV orifice
- Bases of cusps are attached to fibrous ring
- Ventricular surfaces of cusps are attached to chordae tendinae (from papillary M)
Biscuspid valve location
•Occupies left AV orifice
Where do the pulmonary arteries branch off of?
Aortic semilunar valve
Wall layers


Cardiac cycle phases
- Diastole (Dub)
- Systole (Lub)
Diastole
- Diastole (ventricular filling and elongation)
- Closing of SL valves
- Opening of AV valves
- Blood passively fills atria, ventricles
- Atrial contraction forces blood into ventricles














