Anatomy Mediastinum, Heart, Great Vessels Flashcards

Upper body cavity enclosed by the ribs, sternum, and diaphragm housing the heart and lungs

Thoracic cavity

Central region of the thoracic cavity between the lungs, containing the heart, esophagus, and trachea

Mediastinum

Tough, outer connective tissue sac that protects and anchors the heart in the chest

Fibrous pericardium

Middle serous layer fused to the inside of the fibrous pericardium

Parietal pericardium

Innermost serous layer directly covering the surface of the heart muscle (also called epicardium)

Visceral pericardium

Fluid-filled space between the parietal and visceral layers that reduces friction as the heart beats

Pericardial cavity

Large vein carrying oxygen-poor blood from the upper body to the right atrium

Superior vena cava

Large vein carrying oxygen-poor blood from the lower body to the right atrium

Inferior vena cava

Major artery branching from the right ventricle that carries oxygen-poor blood toward the lungs

Pulmonary trunk

Four vessels carrying oxygen-rich blood from the lungs into the left atrium

Pulmonary veins

The body's largest artery, pumping oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle to the entire body

Aorta

A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart

Artery

A blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart

Vein

Two large veins forming from the jugular and subclavian veins that merge into the superior vena cava

Brachiocephalic veins

Major neck veins draining blood from the brain, face, and neck

Internal jugular veins

Large veins beneath the collarbones draining blood from the arms and shoulders

Subclavian veins

The two upper receiving chambers of the heart

Atria

The two lower pumping chambers of the heart

Ventricles

The thick, muscular middle layer of the heart wall that contracts to pump blood

Myocardium

The muscular wall separating the right and left ventricles

Interventricular septum

Upper right chamber that receives oxygen-poor blood from the body

Right atrium

Three-flapped valve between the right atrium and right ventricle preventing backflow

Tricuspid valve

Lower right chamber that pumps oxygen-poor blood to the lungs

Right ventricle

Fibrous heart strings anchoring AV valve flaps to papillary muscles

Chordae tendineae

Internal ventricular muscles that pull chordae tendineae tight to keep valves closed

Papillary muscles

Valve between right ventricle and pulmonary trunk preventing backflow into the heart

Pulmonary semilunar valve

Branches of the pulmonary trunk carrying blood directly into left and right lungs

Pulmonary arteries

Upper left chamber that receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs

Left atrium

Two-flapped valve between the left atrium and left ventricle preventing backflow

Bicuspid valve (mitral valve)

Thickest lower chamber that pumps oxygen-rich blood to the entire body via the aorta

Left ventricle

Valve between left ventricle and aorta preventing blood from flowing back into the heart

Aortic semilunar valve

External groove encircling the heart that separates the atria from the ventricles

Coronary (atrioventricular) sulcus

External groove on the front of the heart marking the boundary between left and right ventricles

Anterior interventricular sulcus

External groove on the back of the heart marking the boundary between left and right ventricles

Posterior interventricular sulcus

Major artery supplying oxygen-rich blood to the left side and front of the heart muscle

Left coronary artery

Major artery supplying oxygen-rich blood to the right side and bottom of the heart muscle

Right coronary artery

Network of vessels that collect oxygen-poor blood from the heart muscle tissue

Cardiac veins

Large vein on the back of the heart that collects blood from cardiac veins and empties into the right atrium

Coronary sinus

Initial upward segment of the main artery exiting the left ventricle

Ascending aorta

Branch from the ascending aorta supplying oxygen-rich blood to the right side of the heart

Right coronary artery

Branch from the ascending aorta supplying oxygen-rich blood to the left side of the heart

Left coronary artery

Curved portion of the aorta that bridges the ascending and descending segments

Aortic arch

First major branch off the aortic arch, supplying blood to the right arm, head, and neck

Brachiocephalic trunk

Branch of the brachiocephalic trunk supplying oxygen-rich blood to the right side of the head and neck

Right common carotid artery

Branch of the brachiocephalic trunk supplying oxygen-rich blood to the right arm

Right subclavian artery

Second branch off the aortic arch, supplying blood directly to the left side of the head and neck

Left common carotid artery

Third branch off the aortic arch, supplying blood directly to the left arm

Left subclavian artery

Section of the aorta running down through the chest cavity toward the abdomen

Descending (thoracic) aorta