Cardiovascular

• What are the subdivisions of the mediastinum?

  Superior mediastinum, inferior mediastinum, posterior mediastinum, middle mediastinum, anterior mediastinum.
• What is located in the anterior mediastinum?

  The thymus gland.
• What is the function of the pericardium?

  The pericardium encloses the heart and consists of an outer fibrous layer and an inner double layer of serous membrane.
• What are the two layers of the serous pericardium?

  Parietal pericardium and visceral pericardium.
• What is contained within the pericardial cavity?

  The pericardial cavity contains pericardial fluid.
• What are the main arteries supplying the pericardium?

  Branches from the pericardiacophrenic, internal thoracic, musculophrenic, superior phrenic, and thoracic aorta.
• How many chambers does the heart have?

  The heart has four chambers.
• What are the inflow and outflow vessels of the left atrium?

  Inflow from pulmonary veins and outflow to the aorta.
• What is pericarditis?

  Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium.
• What is the function of the heart valves?

  Valves prevent blood from flowing back into the heart chambers.
• What are the names of the atrioventricular valves?

  Tricuspid and mitral valves.
• Where can the mitral valve be auscultated?

  The mitral valve can be auscultated at the 4th costal cartilage, 5th intercostal space, mid-clavicular line.
• What is valve stenosis?

  Valve stenosis is a narrowing that affects the opening of the valve.
• What are the main branches of the right coronary artery?

  Marginal branch and posterior interventricular artery.
• What is the function of the coronary arteries?

  Coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle.
• What is the role of the cardiac skeleton?

  The cardiac skeleton maintains the integrity of the openings and electrically isolates the atria from the ventricles.
• What is the function of the sinoatrial node?

  The sinoatrial node initiates and coordinates the contraction of the myocardium.
• What is the significance of the ligamentum arteriosum?

  The ligamentum arteriosum is a remnant of the ductus arteriosus, which bypassed the lungs in fetal life.
• What are the main components of the cardiovascular system?

  • Heart: the pump
  • Arteries: carry oxygenated blood from the heart
  • Veins: carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart
  • Capillaries: exchange of nutrients and waste
  • Lymphatics: part of the immune system
• What are the clinical conditions associated with the cardiovascular system?

  • Coronary artery disease
  • Myocardial infarction (MI)
  • Congenital heart defects
  • Atrial septal defect (ASD)
  • Ventriculoseptal defect (VSD)
  • Persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
• What are the differences between the right and left coronary arteries in terms of supply?

  • Right coronary artery supplies:
  • Both atria
  • Right ventricle
  • Part of posterior left ventricle
  • Left coronary artery supplies:
  • Both atria
  • Anterior part of left ventricle
  • Anterior part of interventricular septum
• What are the structural differences between the ventricles of the heart?

  • Right ventricle: thinner walls, pumps to lungs
  • Left ventricle: thicker walls, pumps to the body
• What is the pathway of blood flow through the heart?

  1. Deoxygenated blood enters right atrium via superior and inferior vena cava
  2. Blood flows to right ventricle
  3. Blood is pumped to lungs via pulmonary trunk
  4. Oxygenated blood returns to left atrium via pulmonary veins
  5. Blood flows to left ventricle
  6. Blood is pumped to body via aorta
• What are the major vessels of the cardiovascular system?

  • Aorta
  • Pulmonary trunk
  • Superior vena cava
  • Inferior vena cava
  • Coronary arteries
• What is the role of the cardiac conduction system?

  • Initiates and coordinates heart contractions
  • Includes sinoatrial node, atrioventricular node, and bundle of His
• What are the types of veins in the venous system?

  • Superficial veins: easily visible under the skin
  • Deep veins: run alongside arteries in deeper layers
  • Portal veins: carry nutrients from intestines to liver
• What is the significance of the pericardial fluid?

  • Facilitates gliding movements of the heart
  • Reduces friction during heartbeats
• What are the functions of the cardiovascular system?

  • Deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues
  • Remove waste products from tissues
  • Regulate body temperature
• What is the significance of the angle of Louis in anatomy?

  • Marks the location of the bifurcation of the trachea
  • Opposite T4 vertebra, forms the superior border of the mediastinum
• What is the role of the vagus nerve in the cardiovascular system?

  • Provides parasympathetic innervation to the heart
  • Helps regulate heart rate
• What is the function of the thoracic duct?

  • Drains lymph from the body into the venous system
  • Important for immune function
• What is the role of the sympathetic trunk in the cardiovascular system?

  • Provides sympathetic innervation to the heart
  • Increases heart rate and contractility
• What is the significance of the Thebesian veins?

  • Drain directly into the atria and ventricles
  • Contribute to the venous drainage of the heart
• What is the role of the pulmonary veins?

  • Convey oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium
• What is the function of the aorta?

  • Carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body
• What is the role of the inferior vena cava?

  • Receives deoxygenated blood from the lower body and returns it to the right atrium
• What is the role of the superior vena cava?

  • Receives deoxygenated blood from the upper body and returns it to the right atrium
• What is the significance of the marginal branch of the right coronary artery?

  • Supplies blood to the right ventricle and parts of the left ventricle
• What is the significance of the anterior interventricular artery?

  • Supplies blood to the anterior part of the interventricular septum and left ventricle
• What is the significance of the circumflex artery?

  • Supplies blood to the left atrium and parts of the left ventricle