Surface Anatomy of the Heart

Question 1

What are the sulci of the heart?

Answer 1

Grooves created on the surface of the heart by the division of the heart into chambers

Question 2

What are is the coronary sulcus? (Or atrioventricular groove) what important vasculature does this sulci contain?

Answer 2

A groove running transversely around the heart, it represents the wall dividing the atria and the ventricles.

Right coronary artery

Question 3

What are the anterior and posterior intraventricular sulci of the heart?

Answer 3

Grooves running down vertically on the respective sides of the heart. They represent the wall separating the ventricles.

Question 4

What is the clinical significance of the transverse pericardial sinus?

Answer 4

It can be used to identify and subsequently ligate (tie off) the arteries of the heart during coronary artery bypass grafting