Heart Anatomy and Pericardium (Video)

Vocabulary flashcards covering heart anatomy, pericardium, heart wall layers, chambers, septa, valves, and major vessels.

Apex

The pointed end of an organ; for the heart it is at the bottom, while for the lungs it is at the top in the lecture example.

Base (of the heart)

The broad, upper portion of the heart.

Pericardium

The outer lining/sac around the heart that helps protect it and reduce friction with surrounding structures.

Pericardial sac

The structure formed by the pericardium enclosing the heart.

Pericarditis

Inflammation of the pericardium.

Fibrous layer

The tough outer layer of the pericardium.

Serous layer

The inner layer of the pericardium that produces fluid to reduce friction; has parietal and visceral parts.

Epicardium

The outer surface layer of the heart wall; the visceral layer of the serous pericardium.

Myocardium

The thick, muscular middle layer of the heart responsible for contraction.

Endocardium

The inner lining of the heart chambers.

Atria

The two upper heart chambers that receive blood (receiving chambers).

Ventricles

The two lower heart chambers that pump blood out of the heart (pumping chambers).

Interatrial septum

The wall that separates the right and left atria.

Interventricular septum

The wall that separates the right and left ventricles.

Coronary sulcus (atrioventricular sulcus)

External groove that marks the boundary between the atria and ventricles.

Interventricular sulci

External grooves that separate the left and right ventricles.

Tricuspid valve

Right atrioventricular valve; has three leaflets (cusps) and is between the right atrium and right ventricle.

Mitral (bicuspid) valve

Left atrioventricular valve; has two leaflets and is between the left atrium and left ventricle.

Atrioventricular valves (AV valves)

The two valves between the atria and ventricles (tricuspid on the right, mitral on the left).

Chordae tendineae

Tendinous cords that anchor AV valve leaflets to papillary muscles to prevent valve prolapse.

Papillary muscles

Muscles that pull on the chordae tendineae to help regulate AV valve opening and closing.

Valvular prolapse

When chordae tendineae are lax or damaged, causing valves to prolapse and backflow may occur.

Semilunar valves

Valves between the ventricles and the great arteries (pulmonary and aortic) that do not require chordae tendineae.

Pulmonary valve

Semilunar valve between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery, controlling blood flow to the lungs.

Aortic valve

Semilunar valve between the left ventricle and the aorta, controlling blood flow to the body.

Pulmonary arteries

Blood vessels carrying deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.

Pulmonary veins

Blood vessels carrying oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium.

Superior vena cava

Large vein returning deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the right atrium.

Inferior vena cava

Large vein returning deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the right atrium.

Aorta

Main artery distributing oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body.

Right side of the patient (orientation)

In anatomy, the patient’s right is the observer’s left; orientation matters when describing heart location.