Exam 2 Flashcards
pulmonary circulation
right side of heart carries blood to lungs and returns blood to left side of heart
systemic circulation
left side of heart pumps blood to remaining tissues of body. CO2 and other waste products are carried back to right side of heart
Shape of heart
Similar to a blunt cone; Blunt, rounded point of heart is apex; Larger, flat part at superior end of heart is base
Size of heart
approximately the size of a closed fist; 250g in females and 300g in males
Location of heart
Mediastinum; Midline partition of thoracic cavity that also contains trachea, esophagus, thymus, and associated structures
Importance of knowing heart’s location
1) Positioning of stethoscope to hear heart sounds and positioning electrodes to record an electrocardiogram from chest
2) Effective CPR
CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Depends on knowledge of position of heart; An emergency procedure that maintains blood flow in the body if a person’s heart stops; Consists of firm and rhythmic compression of chest combined with artificial ventilation of lungs
Structure of pericardium
Double-layered, closed sac that surrounds the heart. Consists of two layers:
1) Outer fibrous pericardium: tough, fibrous connective tissue layer that prevents overdistension of heart and anchors it within the mediastinum. Superiorly, the fibrous pericardium is continuous with the connective tissue coverings of the great vessels, such as the aorta, and inferiorly it is attached to the surface of the diaphragm
2) Inner serous pericardium: Layer of simple squamous epithelium
Structure of serous pericardium
Continuous with each other where great vessels enter or leave heart. There is a space between two layers called pericardial cavity
Divided further into two parts:
1) Parietal pericardium: Part that lines the fibrous pericardium
2) Visceral pericardium: Part that covers the heart surface; Also known as epicardium when describing region in context of heart wall
Space between serous pericardium layers
Pericardial cavity; Filled with thin layer of serous pericardial fluid; Fluid helps reduce friction as the heart moves within the pericardial sac; Can increase in volume to hold a significant volume of pericardial fluid
Outer layer of heart wall
Epicardium; Superficial layer of heart wall; A thin serous membrane that constitutes the smooth, outer surface of the heart; Acts as protective layer and helps in proper development of cardiac cells
Middle layer of heart wall
Myocardium; Thick, middle layer of heart; Composed of cardiac muscle tissue and is responsible for the heart’s ability to contract
Inner layer of heart wall
Endocardium; Deep to myocardium; Consists of simple squamous epithelium over a layer of connective tissue; Forms the smooth, inner surface of the heart chambers, which allows blood to move easily through the heart; Also covers the surfaces of the heart valves
Vena cava
Superior and inferior vena cava carry blood from the body to the right atrium; Veins
Pulmonary veins
Four pulmonary veins carry blood from the lungs to the left atrium; Veins
Pulmonary trunk
Carries blood from the right ventricle to the lungs; Great artery
Aorta
Carries blood from the left ventricle to the body; Great artery
Coronary sulcus
Runs obliquely around the heart, separating atria from ventricles
Anterior interventricular sulcus
Extend inferiorly from coronary sulcus, indicating the division between right and left ventricles; On anterior surface of heart, extending from coronary sulcus towards apex of heart
Posterior interventricular sulcus
Extend inferiorly from coronary sulcus, indicating the division between right and left ventricles; On posterior surface of heart, extending from coronary sulcus towards apex of heart
Coronary arteries
Left and right coronary arteries exit the aorta just above the point where the aorta leaves the heart; Lie within the coronary sulcus; Right coronary artery is usually smaller in diameter than the left one, and it does not carry as much blood as the left coronary artery
Left coronary artery
3 major branches:
1) Anterior interventricular artery: Supplies blood to most of the anterior part of heart
2) Left marginal artery: Supplies blood to lateral wall of left ventricle
3) Circumflex artery: Supplies blood to posterior wall of heart
Right coronary artery
Lies within coronary sulcus and extends from aorta around to the posterior part of the heart
2 major branches:
1) Right marginal artery: Supplies blood to lateral wall of right ventricle
2) Posterior interventricular artery: Supplies blood to posterior and inferior part of heart
Cardiac veins
2 major veins draining the blood from heart wall tissue:
1) Great cardiac vein: Drains blood from left side of heart
2) Small cardiac vein: Drains right margin of heart
Both veins empty into coronary sinus