Heart Anatomy

Question 1

In what compartment of the throacic cavity is the heart found?

Answer 1

Middle mediastinum

Question 2

What contains the heart within the middle mediastinum?

Answer 2

The pericardium

Question 3

Describe the structure of the pericardium

Answer 3

Outer layer of fibrous connective tissue

Inner layer of serous tissue - parietal and visceral layers

Question 4

What are the functions of the pericardium?

Answer 4

Secures the heart in position and limits distension

Question 5

What is the innervation of the pericardium?

Answer 5

Phrenic nerves C3-C5

Question 6

Where can you locate the oblique sinus and transverse sinus?

Answer 6

Oblique sinus - posterior to the left atrium

Transverse sinus - separating the aorta and pulmonary trunk from the superior vena cava

Question 7

Name the layers of cardiac muscle from outermost to innermost

Answer 7

Epicardium
Myocardium
Subendocardium
Endocardium

Question 8

What symptoms does pericarditis produce?

Answer 8

MI-like symptoms: chest pain radiating to arms

Relieved by sitting forward

Question 9

What are the consequences of pericardial effusion?

Answer 9

Cardiac tamponade leading to heart constriction and failure

Question 10

Describe the blood flow through the heart, naming each compartment and valve, starting from blood returning from the systemic circulation

Answer 10

Right atrium
Tricuspid valve
Right ventricle
Pulmonary valve
Pulmonary trunk and arteries
Lungs
Pulmonary veins
Left atrium
Mitral (bicuspid) valve
Left ventricle
Aortic valve
Aorta

Question 11

Name the chamber and vessels connected to the heart in order of their average blood pressure from highest to lowest (at rest)

Answer 11

Aorta (120/80)
Left ventricle (120/10)
Left atrium (8-10)
Pulmonary artery (25/10)
Right ventricle (25/4)
Right atrium (0-4)

Question 12

Describe the terms “systole” and “diastole”

Answer 12

Systole - contraction and ejection of blood from ventricles

Diastole - relaxation and filling of ventricles

Question 13

Describe which structures form these surface areas of the heart in its typical orientation
Anterior
Posterior
Inferior
Right pulmonary
Left pulmonary

Answer 13

Anterior - right ventricle
Posterior - left atrium
Inferior - left and right ventricles
Right pulmonary - right atrium
Left pulmonary - left ventricle

Question 14

Describe the origin and course of the right coronary artery

Answer 14

Originates at Right aortic sinus superior to aortic valve, passes anteriorly between right auricle and pulmonary trunk, descends between right atrium and ventricle, splits into anterior right marginal artery along inferior border and posterior inter ventricular artery

Question 15

Which vessel supplies the AV node?

Answer 15

Right coronary artery

Question 16

Describe the origin and course of the left coronary artery

Answer 16

Originates at Left aortic sinus superior to aortic valve, passes anteriorly between left auricle and pulmonary trunk, splits into the anterior interventricular (left anterior descending) artery and continues as anterior left marginal artery and left circumflex artery

Question 17

Name the 5 major veins that supply the coronary sinus

Answer 17

Great cardiac vein
Middle cardiac vein
Small cardiac vein
Left marginal vein
Left posterior ventricular vein