Heart

• What is the pericardium?

  A triple-layered fibroserous sac
• What does the pericardium enclose?

  It encloses the heart and roots of great blood vessels
• Where is the pericardium located?

  It lies within the middle mediastinum
• What anatomical structures are located posterior to the pericardium?

  It is posterior to the sternum and 2nd-6th costal cartilages
• What anatomical structures are located anterior to the pericardium?

  It is anterior to the 5th-8th thoracic vertebrae
• What are the layers of the pericardium?

  1. Fibrous pericardium
  2. Serous pericardium (parietal)
  3. Serous pericardium (visceral)
• What are the functions of the pericardium?

  1. Restrict excessive movements of the heart
  2. Serves as a lubricated container for the heart
• What is the fibrous pericardium?

  It is the outermost membrane of the pericardium
• What type of tissue makes up the fibrous pericardium?

  Dense irregular connective tissue
• What nerve supplies the fibrous pericardium?

  Phrenic nerve
• What is the parietal layer of the serous pericardium?

  It lines the fibrous pericardium
• How is the parietal layer of the serous pericardium connected to the visceral layer?

  It is continuous with the visceral layer at the roots of the great vessels
• What is another name for the visceral layer of the serous pericardium?

  Epicardium
• What is the function of the visceral layer of the serous pericardium?

  It adheres tightly to the surface of the heart
• What is the pericardial cavity?

  It is the potential space between the parietal and visceral layers of the serous pericardium
• What fluid is contained in the pericardial cavity?

  Pericardial fluid
• What is the function of pericardial fluid?

  It serves as a lubricant facilitating heart movements
• What is the size of the heart?

  Slightly larger than a person's closed fist
• What is the shape of the heart?

  A blunt cone or pyramid
• Where does the heart lie?

  It lies in the pericardium in the mediastinum near the middle of the thoracic cavity
• How much of the heart lies to the left of the body?

  About 2/3 of the heart
• How is the heart connected at its base?

  It is connected to the great blood vessels
• What are the three surfaces of the heart?

  1. Sternocostal (anterior)
  2. Diaphragmatic (inferior)
  3. Base (posterior)
• What are the components of the apex of the heart?

  • Right ventricle
  • Right atrium
• What are the components of the diaphragmatic surface of the heart?

  • Right ventricle
  • Left ventricle
• What are the components of the base of the heart?

  • Left atrium
  • 4 pulmonary veins
• What are the components of the apex of the heart?

  • Left ventricle
• What are the four chambers of the heart?

  1. Right atrium
  2. Right ventricle
  3. Left atrium
  4. Left ventricle
• Which chambers of the heart are anterior to the left chambers?

  The right chambers are anterior to the left chambers
• What separates the right and left atria?

  Interatrial septum
• What separates the right and left ventricles?

  Interventricular septum
• What are the openings of the right atrium?

  1. Superior vena cava (SVC)
  2. Inferior vena cava (IVC)
  3. Coronary sinus
  4. Right atrioventricular orifice
• What are the structures of the right atrium?

  1. Right auricle (outpouching)
  2. Sulcus terminalis (external); crista terminalis (internal)
  3. Sinus venarum (posterior)
  4. Pectinate muscles (anterior)
• What is the function of the right atrium?

  It serves as a reservoir
• What are the openings of the right ventricle?

  1. Pulmonary orifice
  2. Right atrioventricular orifice
• What are the structures of the right ventricle?

  1. Infundibulum
  2. Trabeculae carnae
  3. Tricuspid valve
  4. Pulmonary valve
  5. Interventricular septum
• What is the function of the right ventricle?

  It serves as a pumping chamber
• What are the openings of the left ventricle?

  1. Aortic orifice
  2. Right atrioventricular orifice
• What are the structures of the left ventricle?

  1. Aortic vestibule
  2. Aortic valve
  3. Mitral valve
  4. Trabeculae carnae
  5. Interventricular septum
• What is the function of the left ventricle?

  It serves as a pumping chamber