Checklist of Superior Mediastinum and Heart Structures

Superior thoracic aperture

Opening at the top of the thoracic cavity.

right subclavian artery

left subclavian artery

left common carotid artery

right common carotid artery

C3,4,5

origin of phrenic nerve

parasympathetic to the body, slow heart rate

function of vagus nerve

aortic arch

A

main pulmonary artery

B

left atrial appendage

C

left ventricle

D

superior vena cava

E

right atrium

F

inferior vena cava

G

foramen ovale

embryologic structure that becomes fossa ovalis in a mature heart, allowing blood flow between atria.

blood bypasses right ventricle and lungs

function of foramen ovale

ductus arteriosus

embryonic structure that becomes ligamentum arteriosum in mature heart

allows blood to bypass the fetal lungs by connecting the pulmonary artery to the aorta

function of ductus arteriosus

somatic (voluntary) innervation of laryngeal muscles (except cricothyroid)

function of recurrent laryngeal nerve

Innervates the diaphragm, somatic (voluntary) breathing

function of phrenic nerve

diastole

what is happening in this picture

systole

what is happening in this picture

right and left AV valves

what valves are open during diastole

pulmonary and aortic valves

what valves are open during systole

Trachea

Windpipe connecting larynx to bronchi.

Esophagus

Tube transporting food to the stomach.

Subclavian veins (right or left)

Veins draining blood from upper limbs.

Brachiocephalic veins (right or left)

Veins formed by merging subclavian and internal jugular.

Superior vena cava

Large vein carrying deoxygenated blood to heart.

Arch of azygos vein

Vein arching over the right main bronchus.

ascending Aorta

Main artery distributing oxygenated blood from heart.

aortic arch

descending aorta

part of the aorta that branches into the thoracic and abdominal aortae

Brachiocephalic artery

First branch of the aortic arch.

Thymus

Gland involved in immune system development.

Phrenic nerves

innervates fibrous pericardium

Vagus nerve

Nerves regulating autonomic functions in the body.

Recurrent laryngeal nerves

Nerves supplying muscles of the larynx.

Pericardium

Double-walled sac surrounding the heart.

Fibrous pericardium

Outer layer of the pericardium.

parietal serous pericardium

lines the inner surface of the fibrous pericardium

visceral serous pericardium

Pericardial cavity

Space between the pericardial layers containing fluid.

transverse sinus

space posterior to ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk and anterior to superior vena cava

oblique sinus

blind recess on posterior aspect of heart caused by pericardial reflections off the pulmonary veins and inferior vena cava

ligamentum arteriosum

remnant of ductus arteriosus

pulmonary trunk

carries blood from right ventricle to pulmonary arteries

right pulmonary artery

takes blood from the right ventricle to the right lung

left pulmonary artery

carries poor oxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the left lung.

inferior vena cava

carries blood from lower regions of the body to right atrium

left pulmonary vein (superior and inferior)

transports oxygenated blood from the left lung to the left atrium

right pulmonary vein (superior and inferior)

anterior surface of heart

diaphragmatic surface of the heart

Coronary sulcus

Groove separating atria from ventricles.

anterior interventricular sulcus

separates ventricles of the heart on the anterior side

posterior interventricular sulcus

separates ventricles of the heart on the posterior side

right coronary artery

artery vascularizing the right side of the heart

right marginal artery

supplies the right border of the heart

posterior descending artery (PDA)

Inferior wall. feeds back side of heart.

left coronary artery

supplies blood to the left ventricle, left atrium, and interventricular septum

left anterior descending artery

supplies blood to the front and bottom of the left ventricle and the front of the septum

circumflex artery

left anterior descending artery and circumflex artery

terminal branches of left coronary artery

coronary sinus

enlarged vessel on the posterior aspect of the heart that empties blood into the right atrium

great cardiac vein

runs alongside the anterior interventricular artery (LAD)

middle cardiac vein

runs alongside the posterior interventricular artery (PDA)

small cardiac vein

Vein that travels along side the right marginal artery.

Interventricular septum

Muscular wall separating left and right ventricles.

interatrial septum

separates atria

fossa ovalis

remnant of foramen ovale of fetal heart

limbus fossae ovalis

border of oval fossa

opening of coronary sinus

returns venous coronary circulation to right atrium

sinus venarum

Smooth part of right atrium

right auricle

Identify the flap.

pectinate muscle

prominent ridges lining the surface of the atria

right atrioventricular/ tricuspid valve

Valve preventing backflow of blood into right atrium when the ventricles contract

right atrioventricular orifice

opening from right atrium to right ventricle

trabeculae carneae

muscular ridges on the internal surface of the ventricles

papillary muscles

prevent prolapse of AV valves

tendinous cords

String-like tendons used to attach the atrioventricular valves of the heart to the sides of the ventricle wall. Sometimes called heart strings.

septomarginal trabecula/moderator band

Carries part of the right branch of the AV bundle and prevents overdistension

conus arteriosus/infundibulum

the upper smooth-walled portion of the right ventricle, which leads to the pulmonary trunk

left auricle

Identify the structure (be specific).

left atrioventricular orifice

opening between left atrium and left ventricle

left atrioventricular valve/ bicuspid/ mitral valve

valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle.

aortic vestibule

smooth area of the Left Ventricle that leads into the aortic semilunar valve and the ascending aorta

aortic valve (left, right, and posterior cusps)

The semilunar valve separating the aorta from the left ventricle

membranous portion of interventricular septum

Pulmonary valve

Valve controlling blood flow from right ventricle to pulmonary trunk.