Pericardium and Coronary Circulation

Superior Mediastinum

What is the metastinum?

The tissue that is between the two pleural cavities (lungs)

Where does the mediastinum sit?

between the superior and inferior thoracic aperature

WHat divides the mediastinum into superior and inferior regions?

transverse plane?

What is the inferior mediastinum divided into?

anterior, middle and posterior regions

What region of the inferior mediastinum houses the heart and pericardium?

middle

what is the heart surrounded by

pericardial sac

what components make up the pericardial sac

serous and fibrous

what are the spaces of the pericardium

transverse and oblique pericardial sinuses

what nerves carry somatic innervation

phrenic (C3-C5)

What does the phrenic nerve innervate

diaphragm (sensory + motor)

define epicardium

outer layer of the heart (visceral)

define myocardium

thickest layer composed of heart muscle

define endocardium

smooth, inner lining, lines the heart valves

what is a cardiac plexus?

network of parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves of the heart

what does the cardiac plexus do?

helps to increase or decrease heart rate, stroke volume

what nerve carries parasympathetic motor and visceral afferents?

vagus nerve

where do the coronary arteries originate

distal to the aortic semilunar valve, at the aortic sinuses

where does the right coronary artery sit?

coronary sulcus (atrioventricular groove)

where occupies the anterior interventricular sulcus?

left anterior descending artery (LAD)

what determines coronary artery dominance

which artery forms the posterior descending artery (PDA)

What is the general function of the cardiac veins?

they collect deoxygenated blood from heart wall and run with the coronary arteries

the blood in the cardiac veins drains into what structure

coronary sinus

where does the blood in the coronary sinus drain into

right atrium