Anatomy: Clinically Relevant Anatomy of the Heart

Question 1

Describe the positioning of the phrenic nerve in the thoracic cavity

Answer 1

Anterior to the hilum of the lung

Phrenic = infront

Question 2

Describe the positioning of the vagus nerve in the thoracic cavity

Answer 2

Posterior to the hilum of the lung

Question 3

Describe the layers of the pericardium going from the outside in to the heart

Answer 3

Fibrous pericardium
-->
parietal serous pericardium
-->
pericardial cavity
-->
visceral pericardium (endocardium)
-->
 heart

Question 4

Describe the fibrous pericardium

Answer 4

Fibrous, tough outer layer of the pericardium

Question 5

Describe the serous pericardium

Answer 5

Is very thin

It has 2 sections:-

Parietal serous pericardium:
- innerling of the fibrous pericardium

Visceral serous pericardium:
- Outer lining of the heart

Question 6

Define a haemocardium

Answer 6

The pericardial cavity fills with fluid

Question 7

Define cardiac tamponade

Answer 7

When pressure from abnormal fluid in the pericardial cavity disrupts heart contraction

Question 8

Describe a pericardiocentesis

Answer 8

• Fluid from the pericardial cavity is drained

- Needle is inserted via the left infrasternal angle and directed superoposteriorly

Question 9

Describe the transverse pericardial sinus

Answer 9

• In the posterosuperior pericardial cavity

- Posterior to the ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk

Question 10

Describe how the great vessels meet the pericardium

Answer 10

The most proximal parts are enclosed within the pericardium, but then the pericardium merges with the tunica adventitia of the vessels

Question 11

Name 3 surfaces of the heart

Answer 11

• anterior (sternocostal) surface
• base (posterior) surface
• inferior (diaphragmatic) surface

Question 12

Name 4 borders of the heart

Answer 12

• right (lateral) border
• left (lateral) border
• Inferior border
• Superior border

Question 13

Where is the apex of the heart usually, with reference to the surface anatomy?

Answer 13

5th left intercostal space in the midclavicular line

Question 14

What conditions can change the location of the heart apex

Answer 14

Cardiomegaly

Question 15

Name the bifurcations of the aorta in order of appearance

Answer 15

1) Right and left coronary arteries
2) brachiocephalic trunk
3) Left COMMON carotid artery
4) right subclavian artery

Question 16

What are the right and left auricles of the heart?

Answer 16

Extensions of the right and left atria

Question 17

What is indicated by the coronary groove?

Answer 17

• Placement of the right carotid artery
• Tricuspid valve
• right atrioventricular boundry

Question 18

What is indicated by the anterior interventricular groove?

Answer 18

• Left anterior descending artery

- left atrioventricular boundry

Question 19

What is indicated by the interatrial groove?

Answer 19

The boundary between the 2 atria

Visible on the posterior surface

Question 20

What is indicated by the posterior interventricular groove?

Answer 20

• posterior interventricular artery

- boundary between the 2 ventricles on the diaphragmatic surface

Question 21

Name the branches of the right coronary artery

Answer 21

• right marginal artery

- posterior interventricular artery

Question 22

Name the branches of the left coronary artery

Answer 22

• circumflex artery
• left anterior descending artery
• left marginal artery
• lateral (diagonal) branch

Question 23

Describe the coronary sinus

Answer 23

• Short venous conduit in the atrioventricular groove posteriorly
• receives deoxygenated blood from most of the cardiac veins
• drains into the right atrium

Question 24

Name the 2 regions of the cardiac septum, and give their locations

Answer 24

• Interatrial septum (in the interatrial groove)

- Interventricular septum (in the anterior interventricular groove)

Question 25

Describe the danger of a septal defect

Answer 25

- Oxygenated and deoxygenated blood can mix - Decreased PaO2 - Causes hypoxaemia

Question 26

Describe the crista terminalis

Answer 26

The border between the right atrium and its auricle

Question 27

List the venous openings in the right atrium

Answer 27

- Inferior vena cava - superior vena cava - coronary sinus

Question 28

Describe the inner wall of the right atrial auricle

Answer 28

Not smooth, has muscular bands

Question 29

Name the 2 semilunar valves

Answer 29

- Aortic valve | - Pulmonary valve

Question 30

Name the 2 atrioventricular valves

Answer 30

- Tricuspid (3 cusps) - Bicuspid/mitral (2 cusps) *(tri before you bi)

Question 31

Describe the AV valves

Answer 31

Have leaflets attached to tendinous chords These chords are attached to papillary muscles on the chamber wall

Question 32

Describe the semilunar valves

Answer 32

Have 3 cusps Backpressure causes the cusps to fill with blood and thus closes the valves