Cardiovascular Anatomy - Heart

Flashcards on the anatomy of the heart, covering location, pericardium, heart wall layers, and internal structures.

Diaphragm

The skeletal muscle that forms the physical boundary between the thoracic cavity and the abdominal pelvic cavity.

Mediastinum

The area or subspace where the heart is located, between the right and left lungs within the thoracic cavity.

Apex of the Heart

The inferior tip of the heart that leans to the left lateral side.

Base of the Heart

The inferior and posteriorly leaning, flat surface of the heart.

Pericardium

A sac-like membranous structure surrounding the heart, also known as the pericardial sac.

Fibrous Pericardium

The outer layer of the pericardium, made of dense collagenous connective tissue.

Serous Pericardium

The inner layer of the pericardium, divided into parietal and visceral layers; a serous membrane.

Parietal Pericardium

The external surface of the serous membrane.

Visceral Pericardium

The internal surface of the serous membrane of the heart.

Pericardial Cavity

The space between the parietal and visceral pericardia, filled with serous fluid (pericardial fluid).

Pericardial Fluid

Fluid found in the pericardial cavity, acts as lubricant to reduce friction.

Epicardium

The outermost layer of the heart wall, also known as the visceral pericardium.

Myocardium

The middle layer of the heart wall, primarily composed of cardiac muscle tissue.

Endocardium

The innermost layer of the heart wall.

Coronary Blood Vessels

The heart muscle's own blood vessels, located within the epicardium and diving into the myocardium.

Trabeculae Carneae

Irregular muscular extensions of the myocardial tissue lining the inner surfaces of the heart chambers, especially the ventricles; help decrease the muscular force necessary during contraction to expel blood.

Septum

Internal wall that divides the right and left halves of the heart.

Interventricular Septum

The part of the septum that divides the right and left ventricles.

Interatrial Septum

The part of the septum that separates the right and left atria.

Papillary Muscles

Muscular extensions of the myocardial tissue that connect to the chordae tendineae.

Chordae Tendineae

String-like structures made of dense connective tissue that connect the papillary muscles to the heart valves.

Atrioventricular Valves

Heart valves that act as doorways or gateways that guard the openings between an atrium and a ventricle.

Semilunar Valves

Heart valves that guard the openings, or the junctions of a ventricle to its connecting artery.

Tricuspid Valve

Another name for the right atrioventricular valve, characterized by three flaps or cusps.

Bicuspid (Mitral) Valve

Another name for the left atrioventricular valve, characterized by two flaps or cusps.

Fibrous Skeleton

Extensions of the fibrous connective tissue that the valves are made of, which interconnect the valves, providing support and electrically insulating the atria from the ventricles.