Structure of the pericardium

Question 1

Pericardium

Answer 1

a fibrous serous fluid filled sack

Question 2

What foes the pericardium surround

Answer 2

the muscular body of the heart as well as the root of the great vessels

Question 3

What else does the pericardium attach to?

Answer 3

it is also attached to the central tendon of the diaphragm

Question 4

The pericardium is mad up of 2 layers:

Answer 4

fibrous pericardium
serous pericardium

Question 5

fibrous pericardium

Answer 5

• The tough tough external layer

Question 6

serous pericardium

Answer 6

• thin internal layer

Question 7

Functions of the pericardium

Answer 7

• To fix the heart in the mediastinum
• To limit the motion of the heart
• To prevent over-filling of the heart
• For lubrication - this layer of fluid between the two pericardium layers reduces the friction made by the heart
• For protection from infection

Question 8

Question 9

Fibrous pericardium

Answer 9

(tough superficial layer)
– Function: Protects, anchors, & prevents overfilling

Question 10

Serous pericardium
(deep 2-layered)

Answer 10

Visceral layer (epicardium) on
external surface of heart Separated by fluid-filled pericardial cavity
(Function: decreases friction)

– Parietal layer lines internal surface of fibrous pericardium
Function: providing lubrication which facilitates movements of heart within pericardial sac.

Question 11

Fibro-serous sac

Answer 11

• Double layer
• Surrounds heart

Superior:
Covers heart and beginning of major blood vessels

Inferior:
Attached to diaphragm

Question 12

Layers of the pericardium:

Answer 12

1. Fibrous pericardium
2. Serous parietal pericardium
3. Pericardial space
4. Serous visceral pericardium (epicardium)
5. Myocardium
6. Endocardium

Question 13

Question 14

Answer 14

Fibrous pericardium:
- Is the outer layer

Question 15

Superior attachment of the fibrous pericardium

Answer 15

continuous superiorly with the tunica of the great vessels entering and leaving the heart and with the pre-tracheal layer of deep cervical fascia

Question 16

Anterior attachment of the fibrous pericardium:

Answer 16

Posterior surface of the sternum
- via sternopericardial ligaments

Question 17

Posterior attachment of the fibrous pericardium:

Answer 17

Bound by loose connective tissue to structures in the posterior mediastinum

Question 18

Inferior attachment of the fibrous pericardium:

Answer 18

Continuous inf. with the central tendon of the diaphragm
- attaches via pericardiophrenic ligament

Question 19

Serous pericardium consists of 2 layers:

Answer 19

• Outer parietal layer
• inner visceral

Question 20

The inner visceral layer is also called the

Answer 20

epicardium

Question 21

Pericardial cavity

Answer 21

potential space between the parietal and visceral layers

Question 22

What does the pericardial cavity contain, and what is its function?

Answer 22

• It normally contains a thin film of fluid
• that enables the heart to move and beat in a frictionless environment

Question 23

Question 24

Must be able to draw!

Question 25

The wall of the heart is made up of the

Answer 25

1. Epicardium (visceral)
2. Myocardium
3. Endocardium

Question 26

Forms the bulk of the heart and contains the cardiac muscles

Answer 26

Myocardium

Question 27

Sheet of simple squamous epithelium

Answer 27

Endocardium

Question 28

Pericardial space contains 2 sinuses:

Answer 28

1. Oblique pericardial sinus
2. Transverse pericardial sinus

Question 29

Are the pericardial sinuses anatomical sinuses

Answer 29

No, not really anatomical sinuses (like nasal sinus) = more passageways that we find in the pericardial space

Question 30

How is the oblique sinus formed

Answer 30

formed by the reflection of the pulmonary veins onto the heart and is enclosed between the limbs of the inverted U of the venous mesocardium.

Question 31

where does the oblique sinus lie?

Answer 31

Behind the left atrium and in between the left and right pulmonary veins.

Question 32

Transverse pericardial sinus

Answer 32

• Tunnel shaped
• separates arteries and veins

Question 33

Transverse pericardial sinus position

Answer 33

• Lies posterior to the ascending aorta and the pulmonary trunk
• Lies anterior to SVC and Superior pulmonary veins

Question 34

Question 35

Question 36

Main arterial supply of the pericardium:

Answer 36

Mainly through a branch of internal thoracic artery
= Pericardiophrenic artery

Question 37

Other arterial contributions of the pericardium:

Answer 37

• Branches of the musculophrenic artery
• Oesophageal artery
• Bronchial artery
• Superior phrenic artery
• Coronary arteries also involved, but supplies mostly blood to the epicardium (visceral layer of pericardium)

Question 38

Venous drainage of the pericardium

Answer 38

• Via pericardiophrenic veins which drains into the bracheochephalic or internal thoracic veins
• Also get drainage into the azygos venous system

Question 39

Nerve innovation of the pericardium is mostly from

Answer 39

• vagus nerve
• phrenic nerve

Question 40

Innervation of the outer fibrous and parietal pericardium

Answer 40

• from the phrenic nerve
  (C3-5)
• Provides motor and sensory innervation to the diaphragm
• Originates from the neck and travels down, through the thoracic cavity
• general source of referred pain

Question 41

innervation of the visceral pericardium

Answer 41

• from the vagus nerve
• and sympathetic trunk