Structure of the Heart

Question 1

What is the Pericardium?

Answer 1

Fibroserous membrane covering the heart and parts of the great vessels

Closed Sac made of two layers
fibrous pericardium
serous pericardium

Question 2

What are the layers in the serous pericardium?

Answer 2

Parietal layer

Visceral layer

Question 3

What are the pericardial Sinuses? (2)

Where are the pericardial sinuses located?

Answer 3

Transverse pericardial sinus
- between aorta and pulmonary trunk anteriorly and superior vena cava posteriorly

Oblique pericardial sinus
- posterior to the left atrium

Question 4

How many layers is the heart wall made up of?

Answer 4

endocardium
myocardium
epicardium

Question 5

Where is the apex of the heart located externally?

Answer 5

5th intercostal space, about 9cm from the median plane

Question 6

What is the base of the heart formed by?

From where does the base of the heart receive blood?

Answer 6

Formed by mainly the left atrium but also the right atrium

Receives pulmonary veins in the left atrial portion
Receives inferior and superior venae cavae at right atrial portion

Question 7

What are the four surfaces of the heart?

Answer 7

Anterior (sternocostal)
- right ventricle (mainly)

Diaphragmatic (inferior)
- left (mainly) and right ventricle

Right pulmonary
– right atrium (mainly)

Left pulmonary
– left ventricle (mainly)

Question 8

What are the four borders of the heart?

Answer 8

Right
– right atrium, extends between SVC and IVC

Inferior
– right (mainly) and left ventricle

Left
– left ventricle (mainly) and left auricle

Superior
– right and left atria and auricles.

Question 9

What are the surface landmarks for the Superior Border of the Heart?

Answer 9

Inferior border of 2nd Left costal cartilage
to
Superior Border of 3rd Right costal cartilage

1-2 cm from margin of sternum each side

Question 10

What are the surface landmarks for the Right Border of the Heart?

Answer 10

3rd right costal cartilage
to
6th right costal cartilage

1-2cm from margin of sternum each side

Question 11

What are the surface landmarks for the Inferior Border of the Heart?

Answer 11

6th right intercostal cartilage
to
5th left intercostal space, mid clavicular line

Question 12

What are the surface landmarks for the Left Border of the Heart?

Answer 12

Inferior border of 2nd left costal cartilage
to
5th intercostal space, mid-clavicular line

Question 13

Where does the common carotid artery bifurcate and what does it become?

Answer 13

superior border of the thyroid cartilage

internal carotid - supplies structures in the cranial cavity
external carotid - supplies structures in the face and neck