Heart Anatomy and Mediastinum

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the heart, mediastinum, and surrounding structures.

Mediastinum

The space in the thoracic cavity located between the lungs that contains the heart, vessels, esophagus, trachea, and other structures.

Sternal Angle

The junction between the manubrium and body of the sternum; a key anatomical landmark for dividing the mediastinum.

Superior Mediastinum

The upper part of the mediastinum, above the sternal angle; does not have subdivisions.

Inferior Mediastinum

The lower part of the mediastinum, below the sternal angle, divided into anterior, middle, and posterior regions.

Anterior Mediastinum

The front subdivision of the inferior mediastinum, located between the sternum and the heart.

Middle Mediastinum

The subdivision of the inferior mediastinum that houses the heart and its major vessels.

Posterior Mediastinum

The back subdivision of the inferior mediastinum that lies between the heart and the vertebral column.

Coronary Sulcus

The groove separating the atria from the ventricles, also known as the atrioventricular sulcus.

Trabeculae Carneae

Muscle fibers of the ventricles, termed as 'bundles of flesh'.

Papillary Muscles

Muscles attached to the heart's cusps; prevent the cusps from flipping into the atria when ventricles contract.

Chordae Tendineae

Tendon-like structures that connect papillary muscles to the cusps of the atrioventricular valves.

Fossa Ovalis

An oval depression in the interatrial septum, remnant of the fetal foramen ovale.

Coronary Sinus

A large vein that collects venous blood from the heart muscle and drains into the right atrium.

Tricuspid Valve

The valve located between the right atrium and right ventricle.

Bicuspid Valve

Also known as the mitral valve; the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle.

Aortic Valve

The valve that controls blood flow from the left ventricle into the aorta.

Pulmonary Valve

The valve that controls blood flow from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery.

Esophagus

The muscular tube that connects the throat (pharynx) with the stomach; located behind the heart.

Phrenic Nerve

A nerve that innervates the diaphragm; important for breathing.

Vagus Nerve

Cranial Nerve X; responsible for various functions including parasympathetic control of the heart.

Thymus Gland

An immune system gland located partly in the superior mediastinum and anterior mediastinum.

Thoracic Duct

The largest lymphatic vessel in the human body; it drains lymph from the body into the bloodstream.

Descending Aorta

The part of the aorta that continues from the arch into the thoracic cavity and eventually the abdomen.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing; can be related to compression of the esophagus due to the enlarged left atrium.

Probe Patency

A condition in which a small gap remains between the atrial septal leaflets after birth.

Brachiocephalic Trunk

The first major branch of the aorta that supplies blood to the right arm and head.

Common Carotid Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the head and neck; arises from the brachiocephalic trunk on the right and directly from the aorta on the left.

Left Subclavian Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the left arm, originating from the arch of the aorta.