Week 4 - The Heart Flashcards
What is the structure surrounding the heart and great vessels called?
Pericardium
The pericardium is a two-layered fibro-serous sac.
What are the two layers of the pericardium?
Fibrous and Serous
The fibrous layer protects against sudden overfilling, while the serous layer forms a closed sac.
What does the fibrous layer of the pericardium fuse with?
Central tendon and tunica adventitia of the great vessels
It is also attached by sternopericardial ligaments.
What are the two layers of the serous pericardium?
Parietal layer and Visceral layer
The parietal layer lines the fibrous pericardium and great vessels, while the visceral layer covers the heart.
What embryological development leads to the formation of the heart chambers?
Heart folds and twists
This process also causes spaces or sinuses to occur.
Where is the Transverse Sinus located?
Between the ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk
It is also located between the superior parts of the atria and superior vena cava.
What is the location of the Oblique Sinus?
Behind the left atrium on the posterior surface
It is a recess of the serous pericardium.
What arteries supply the pericardium?
Pericardiacophrenic arteries, Musculophrenic arteries, Pericardial branches from bronchial and superior phrenic arteries
These arteries provide the arterial supply to the pericardium.
To which system do pericardial veins drain?
Azygos system
They also drain to the internal thoracic and superior phrenic veins.
Which nerve supplies the fibrous and parietal layers of the serous pericardium?
Phrenic nerve
The vagus nerve and branches of the sympathetic trunk supply the visceral layer.
What is the clinical relevance of pericarditis?
Inflammation of the pericardium
It can lead to other complications such as effusion and innervation issues.
What forms the upper border of the heart?
Atria (left)
The upper border is nearly straight and hidden anteriorly.
Which chamber primarily forms the right border of the heart?
Right atrium
The right border is slightly convex.
What primarily forms the lower border of the heart?
Right ventricle
It is partially formed by the right atrium and is slightly concave.
Which chamber forms the left border of the heart?
Left ventricle and left auricle
The left border is convex.
What is the base of the heart primarily formed by?
Left atrium
It is opposite thoracic vertebrae T5-T8.
What separates the base of the heart from the descending aorta and esophagus?
Oblique sinus
The base is also inferiorly bounded by the posterior part of the coronary sulcus.
What are the entry points of the right atrium?
Superior vena cava, Inferior vena cava, Coronary sinus
The right atrium has three main entry points.
What is the primary entry point of the right ventricle?
1 entry point
It also has 1 exit point.
What structures are found within the right ventricle?
Trabeculae carneae, Papillary muscles, Chordae tendinae, Infundibulum
The infundibulum is smooth, while trabeculae carneae are rough.
What are the valves of the heart?
Atrioventricular (AV) valves and Semilunar valves
Examples include the tricuspid and bicuspid (mitral) valves, as well as the pulmonary and aortic valves.
What is the pathway of blood in fetal circulation?
Placenta oxygenates blood, Right atrium, Foramen ovale to left atrium, Pulmonary trunk to aorta, Left atrium to left ventricle, Systemically
Deoxygenated blood returns to the placenta via the right and left umbilical arteries.
Which nerve supplies the visceral layer of the serous pericardium?
Vagus nerve and branches of the sympathetic trunk
This innervation is crucial for sensation in the heart.
What is myocardial ischaemia?
Insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle
It can lead to chest pain and other complications.
What are anastomoses in the context of coronary supply?
Connections between blood vessels
They allow for collateral circulation in the heart.
True or False: Pericarditis can lead to effusion.
True
Pericarditis is inflammation that can result in fluid accumulation.
