Pericardium and Heart Anatomy

Flashcards covering the anatomy of the pericardium and heart, including the mediastinum, heart walls, chambers, vasculature, and innervation.

Mediastinum

Central compartment of the thoracic cavity containing thoracic viscera (except lungs), extending from the superior thoracic aperture to the diaphragm inferiorly and from the sternum and costal cartilages anteriorly to the thoracic vertebrae posteriorly.

Superior Mediastinum

Extends inferiorly from the superior thoracic aperture to the horizontal plane (transverse thoracic plane: sternal angle to the IV disk of T4-T5).

Inferior Mediastinum

Located between the transverse thoracic plane and the diaphragm, and is further divided into the anterior, middle, and posterior mediastinum.

Middle Mediastinum

Contains the pericardium and its contents (heart and roots of the great vessels).

Fibrous Pericardium

Tough, external layer of the pericardium that stabilizes the heart and protects it against sudden overfilling; continuous with great vessels and the pretracheal layer of deep cervical fascia superiorly, and with the central tendon of the diaphragm inferiorly.

Serous Pericardium

Layer of the pericardium with a parietal layer lining the internal surface of the fibrous pericardium, and a visceral layer (epicardium) lining the external surface of the heart.

Pericardial Cavity

Potential space between the parietal and visceral layers of the serous pericardium.

Transverse Pericardial Sinus

Runs transversely within the pericardial cavity between the aorta and pulmonary trunk & the SVC

Oblique Pericardial Sinus

Pocket-like recess in the pericardial cavity formed by the L atrium. It is a blind sac.

Pericardiacophrenic Artery

Branch of the internal thoracic artery that accompanies the phrenic nerve to the diaphragm.

Phrenic Nerve

Sensory nerve to the pericardium (C3-C5); pain is referred to the skin of dermatomes C3-C5.

Cardiac Cycle

Synchronous pumping action of the atrioventricular chambers consisting of Diastole and Systole.

Epicardium

Thin external layer of the heart wall, formed by the visceral layer of the serous pericardium, the most superficial layer of the heart.

Myocardium

The cardiac muscle layer of the heart wall.

Endocardium

Thin internal layer of the heart wall that also covers the valves.

Fibrous Skeleton of Heart

Framework formed of dense cartilaginous rings that surround the orifices of the valves, keeping them patent and preventing overdistension while providing attachment for the valves, myocardium, and acting as an electrical insulator.

Coronary Sulcus

Demarcates the atria from the ventricles.

Interventricular Sulci

Demarcate the right and left ventricles.

Apex of Heart

Inferolateral part of the left ventricle, posterior to the left 5th intercostal space; remains motionless during the cardiac cycle.

Base of Heart

Opposite the apex, facing posteriorly toward the body of thoracic vertebrae (T6-T9); formed primarily by the left atrium, receiving pulmonary veins and SVC and IVC.

Anterior Surface of Heart

Formed by the right ventricle.

Diaphragmatic Surface of Heart

Formed by the left ventricle.

Right Border of Heart

Formed by the right atrium and extends between SVC and IVC.

Left Border of Heart

Formed by the left ventricle and left auricle.

Right Atrium

Forms the right border of the heart and receives blood from the SVC, IVC, and coronary sinus.

Left Atrium

Receives blood from the pulmonary veins.

Right AV Orifice

The R. atrium discharges the low-oxygen blood into R. ventricle.

Right Ventricle

Forms the largest part of anterior surface of the heart, a small part of the diaphragmatic, and almost entire inferior border.

Left Ventricle

Forms apex of heart, almost all of the pulmonary surface and border, and most diaphragmatic surface.

Coronary Arteries

Responsible for the blood exchange of the myocardium.

Right Coronary Artery (RCA)

Artery that passes posterior and to the right of the pulmonary trunk, running in the coronary sulcus.

Left Coronary Artery (LCA)

Artery that passes between the L. auricle and the left side of pulmonary trunk, running in the coronary sulcus.

Coronary Sinus

Main vein of the heart that runs from L to R in the posterior part of the coronary sulcus.

Cardiac Plexus

Formed by sympathetic, parasympathetic, and visceral afferent fibers, and is located on the anterior surface of the bifurcation of the trachea