The Cardiovascular System 1: Anatomy Introduction Flashcards
What is the thorax and where is it located?
The thorax is the part of the body found inferior to the neck and superior to the abdomen.
What is the shape of the thoracic cavity when sectioned transversely?
The thoracic cavity is kidney-shaped when sectioned transversely.
What are the three compartments of the thoracic cavity?
Right and left pulmonary cavities (7 and 8) – containing lungs and pleura
Central mediastinum (9) – containing the heart, great vessels, etc.
What are the borders of the heart as shown in the image?
What are the 5 surface markings of the heart on the front of the chest?
2nd costal cartilage
3rd costal cartilage
5th intercostal space
6th costal cartilage
Mid-clavicular line
One can then map out the outline of the heart by joining the dots together with curved lines.
What does the midsternal line indicate in a chest X-ray?
The midsternal line on a chest X-ray marks the central vertical axis of the body, passing through the sternum.
How is the position of the heart on an X-ray commonly referenced?
The position of the heart is often described as lying along the 1/3 to 2/3 of the midsternal line in a chest X-ray.
What are the two layers of the pericardium?
External fibrous pericardium
Internal serous pericardium
Describe the outer layer of pericardium.
- The heart is enclosed in a fluid-filled sac, the pericardium.
- The outer layer of the pericardium is thick and tough, and provides a stable and protective cover for the heart.
- This is called the fibrous pericardium.
What lines the internal surface of the fibrous pericardium?
The internal surface of the fibrous pericardium is lined by the parietal layer of the serous pericardium.
What happens to the parietal layer of the serous pericardium?
The parietal layer of the serous pericardium is reflected onto the heart as the visceral layer of the serous pericardium.
What is the fibrous pericardium tethered to?
The fibrous pericardium is tethered to the central tendon of the diaphragm.
What is the pericardial cavity?
The pericardial cavity (or sac) is a potential space between the two layers of serous pericardium.
what is 1
Fibrous pericardium
what is 2
Reflected fibrous pericardium showing the parietal layer of serous pericardium
what is 3
Cardiac surface covered by the visceral layer of serous pericardium
What is the role of pericardial fluid in the pericardial cavity?
Pericardial fluid in the pericardial cavity allows the heart to move and beat without friction.
What happens to the fibrous pericardium during cardiac tamponade?
In cardiac tamponade, the fibrous pericardium is not able to expand, leading to compression of the heart. This compromises venous return, thus reducing cardiac output.
What is the name of the condition where fluid accumulates in the pericardial cavity?
cardiac tamponade.
Which nerve conveys sensory pain fibers from the fibrous and parietal layer of the serous pericardium?
The phrenic nerve (C3-C5) conveys sensory pain fibers from the fibrous and parietal layer of the serous pericardium, such as in cases of pericarditis.
Where is the pain from pericarditis usually referred to and felt?
The pain from pericarditis is usually referred to and felt over the ipsilateral supraclavicular region or tip of the shoulder, corresponding to the C3-C5 dermatome.
What is the function of the transverse pericardial sinus?
The transverse pericardial sinus separates the reflection of the arteries from the venous reflection.
(top arrow with S shape)
What is the oblique pericardial sinus and how is it formed?
The oblique pericardial sinus is created by the reflections of the veins, forming a blinded-sac in an inverted J shape.
