Gross anatomy of cardiovascular system

Question 1

Cardiovascular System Overview

Answer 1

Components: Heart, blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries), blood

Arteries: Carry blood away from heart

Veins: Carry blood towards heart

Capillaries: Enable exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste

Question 2

Heart Function and Circulations

Answer 2

Acts as two pumps:

Right side: Pulmonary circulation (to lungs)

Left side: Systemic circulation (to body)

Question 3

Heart Location and Pericardium

Answer 3

Located in mediastinum (central thoracic cavity)

Bounded laterally by pleura, superiorly by thoracic inlet, inferiorly by diaphragm

Enclosed in pericardium:

Visceral layer (inner)

Parietal layer (outer)

Secretes serous fluid for lubrication

Question 4

Heart Orientation and Surface Features

Answer 4

Apex: Points anteriorly toward ribs

Base: Points posteriorly toward vertebrae

Surface grooves:

Coronary sulcus

Interventricular sulcus

Question 5

Right Atrium Anatomy

Answer 5

Receives blood from:

Superior vena cava

Inferior vena cava

Coronary sinus

Features:

SA node (pacemaker)

Fossa ovalis (fetal remnant)

Pectinate muscles

Question 6

Right Ventricle Structure

Answer 6

Contains:

Tricuspid valve

Chordae tendineae + papillary muscles

Pulmonary valve

Pulmonary trunk

Trabeculae carneae

Pumps blood to lungs

Question 7

Left Atrium Characteristics

Answer 7

Receives oxygenated blood from pulmonary veins

Internal wall is smoother than right atrium

Leads to mitral valve (bicuspid)

Question 8

Left Ventricle Features

Answer 8

Thick muscular wall

Large papillary muscles for high pressure

Pumps blood into aorta via aortic valve

Question 9

Four Heart Valves

Answer 9

Question 10

Coronary Circulation

Answer 10

Coronary arteries branch from aorta and supply heart wall

Cardiac veins drain blood into coronary sinus

Coronary sinus empties into right atrium

Question 11

Autonomic Control of the Heart

Answer 11

Sympathetic: Increases heart rate & contractility

Parasympathetic (via vagus nerve): Decreases heart rate

Acts on SA node

Question 12

Great Vessels of the Heart

Answer 12

Superior/Inferior vena cava: → Right atrium

Pulmonary trunk/arteries: → Lungs

Pulmonary veins: → Left atrium

Aorta: → Systemic circulation from left ventricle

Question 13

Aortic Branches and Targets

Answer 13

Ascending aorta → Arch → Descending aorta

Arch branches:

Brachiocephalic trunk

Left common carotid artery

Left subclavian artery

Abdominal aorta:

Renal, gonadal, coeliac, superior/inferior mesenteric arteries

Bifurcates into iliac arteries

Question 14

Limb Blood Supply & Drainage

Answer 14

Upper limb arteries:

Subclavian → Axillary → Brachial → Radial/Ulnar → Palmar arches

Lower limb arteries:

Common iliac → External iliac → Femoral → Popliteal → Tibial arteries

Lower limb veins:

Deep & superficial

Superficial: Great/small saphenous veins

Question 15

Head & Neck Vascular Supply

Answer 15

Arterial supply:

Common carotid → External (face) & Internal (brain) branches

Also via vertebral arteries

Venous drainage:

Internal jugular vein (deep)

External jugular vein (superficial)

All drain into superior vena cava