Pericardium

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

Double-walled sac containing the heart and the roots of the great vessels

Question 2

Attachments

Answer 2

• Central tendon of diaphragm
• Sternum
• Roots of great vessels

Question 3

Pericardial sac layers (2)

Answer 3

• Serous (parietal and visceral epicardium)

- Fibrous

Question 4

Blood supply

Answer 4

Pericardiacophrenic artery

- branch of internal thoracic artery

Question 5

Fibrous pericardium functions (3) and innervation

Answer 5

• Surrounds heart
• Anchor for heart
• Prevents over expansion

Mainly phrenic nerve

Question 6

Parietal pericardium (serous)

Answer 6

Inseparable from fibrous pericardium

Mainly phrenic nerve innervation

Question 7

Pericardial cavity

Answer 7

Contains pericardial fluid

Question 8

Pericardial fluid

Answer 8

Secreted by serous pericardium.

Reduce surface tension and lubricate

Question 9

Visceral pericardium/epicardium

Answer 9

• Contains main branches of coronary arteries

- T1-4 autonomic innervation and vagus nerve via the cardiac plexus

Question 10

Myocardium

Answer 10

• Many layers of cardiac muscle and elastic tissue.

Question 11

Endocardium

Answer 11

• Lines heart chambers and forms the surface of valves

Question 12

Anterior anatomical relations and attachments (4)

Answer 12

Sternum (sterna-pericardial ligaments)
Costal cartilages 4-7
Anterior edges of lungs and pleurae
Thymic remnants

Question 13

Posterior anatomical relations and attachments (3)

Answer 13

Oesophagus
Descending aorta
T5-8

Question 14

Lateral anatomical relations and attachments (3)

Answer 14

Mediastinal pleura
Lungs
Phrenic nerve

Question 15

Inferior anatomical relation and attachment

Answer 15

Central tendon of the diaphragm (moves with respiration)