The pericardium Flashcards
what layers is the heart wall composed of?
an inner endocardium
a middle myocardium
an outer epicardium (visceral layer)
what type of epithelium is the endocardium composed of?
simple squamous epithelium
what type of epithelium is the epicardium composed o?
simple squamous epithelium
which layer belongs simultaneously to the heart wall and the serous pericardium?
the epicardium
what is the role of the fibrous pericardium?
the fibrous pericardium protects the heart chambers. it prevents over expanion of the heart when there is a rise in the volume of the blood inside the body.
the fibrous pericardium also anchors the heart to the chest cavity by attaching it to neighbouring structures.
describe what cardiac tamponade is?
when excess fluid accumulates within the pericardial cavity.
The increased pressure on the heart wall impedes the normal filling of the heart.
what is the nerve innervation of the visceral pericardium?
autonomic innervation from T1-T4 nerves and vagus nerve via the cardiac plexus.
what is the nerve innervation of the parietal pericardium?
phrenic nerve
what is the nerve innervation of the fibrous pericardium?
phrenic nerve
what nerve lies on the left side of the aortic arch?
vagus nerve
which layers of the pericardium are innervated by pain fibres?
the parietal layer and fibrous pericardium
phrenic nerve receives motor, sensory and autonomic nerve fibres
What is the blood supply of the fibrous pericardium?
Internal thoracic arteries
