A & P II The Cardiovascular System

Questions and Answers

What is the heart?

Somewhat cone-shaped organ, situated slightly to left side in thoracic cavity, posterior to sternum in mediastinum; rests on diaphragm.

What is the apex of the heart?

Point of cone; points toward left hip; its flattened base is its posterior side facing posterior rib cage.

Describe the position of the heart in the thoracic cavity.

The heart is located in the thoracic cavity medial to the lungs and posterior to the sternum.

Describe the basic surface anatomy of the chambers of the heart.

Superior right and left atria and inferior right and left ventricles. Signup and view all the answers

Externally, an indentation known as ________ is found at the boundary between the atria and ventricles.

Atrioventricular Sulcus Signup and view all the answers

What is the interventricular sulcus?

External depression located between right and left ventricles. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of veins in relation to the heart?

Blood vessels that bring blood to the heart. Signup and view all the answers

What are arteries?

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. Signup and view all the answers

The right side of the heart is __ because it pumps blood into a series of blood vessels leading to and within lungs; collectively called .

Pulmonary Pump; Pulmonary Circuit Signup and view all the answers

What do pulmonary arteries do?

Deliver oxygen-poor and carbon dioxide-rich blood to the lungs. Signup and view all the answers

The left side of the heart is _; receives oxygenated blood from pulmonary veins and pumps it into blood vessels that serve the rest of the body; collectively called __.

Systemic Pump; Systemic Circuit Signup and view all the answers

The pulmonary circuit is a high-pressure circuit.

False Signup and view all the answers

Describe the layers of the pericardium.

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What is the pericardium?

The membranous structure surrounding the heart. Signup and view all the answers

What is the fibrous pericardium?

Outer layer of the pericardium composed of collagen bundles. Signup and view all the answers

What is the serous pericardium?

Thin inner serous membrane that produces serous fluid. Signup and view all the answers

What is the parietal pericardium?

Fused to inner surface of fibrous pericardium; encases heart like a sac. Signup and view all the answers

What is the visceral pericardium?

Innermost layer also known as epicardium. Signup and view all the answers

What is the pericardial cavity?

Found between parietal and visceral pericardia; contains serous fluid. Signup and view all the answers

What is the myocardium?

Second and thickest layer of heart wall composed of cardiac muscle tissue. Signup and view all the answers

The lumen of the heart is lined by______________; third and deepest layer of heart wall.

Endocardium Signup and view all the answers

Heart's chambers are filled with blood, but myocardium is too thick for oxygen and nutrients to diffuse from inside chambers to all of organ's cells.For this reason, heart is supplied by a set of blood vessels collectively called __________.

Coronary Circulation Signup and view all the answers

What is the ascending aorta?

Main systemic artery into which left ventricle pumps blood. Signup and view all the answers

Immediately after ascending aorta emerges from left ventricle, two branches arise: ________________________, which travel in right and left atrioventricular sulci, respectively.

Right & Left Coronary Arteries Signup and view all the answers

What does the right coronary artery do?

Travels inferiorly and laterally along right atrioventricular sulcus. Signup and view all the answers

Largest branch is _________, so named because it typically arises near inferior , or border, of heart.

Marginal Artery; margin Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Heart Anatomy

The heart is a cone-shaped organ located slightly to the left in the thoracic cavity, posterior to the sternum, resting on the diaphragm.
The apex is the pointed tip that directs toward the left hip, with the flattened base at the posterior side facing the rib cage.
Positioned medial to the lungs and posterior to the sternum, the heart features four chambers: superior right and left atria and inferior right and left ventricles.

Surface Anatomy

Atrioventricular sulcus marks the boundary between the atria and ventricles externally.
Interventricular sulcus is the external depression between the right and left ventricles.

Blood Vessels

Veins deliver blood to the right and left atria.
Arteries take blood away from the heart, with blood flowing from atria to ventricles and then pumped into arteries.

Circulatory Roles

The right side of the heart functions as the pulmonary pump, sending deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary circuit leading to the lungs.
Pulmonary arteries transport oxygen-poor blood to the lungs for oxygenation.
The left side acts as the systemic pump, receiving oxygenated blood from pulmonary veins and distributing it throughout the body.

Pressure Differences

The pulmonary circuit operates at low pressure, only reaching the lungs.
The systemic circuit operates at high pressure, supplying blood to the entire body.

Pericardium Structure

The pericardium is the membranous structure surrounding the heart, composed of two layers: fibrous and serous.
The fibrous pericardium is tough and anchors the heart, preventing overfilling.
The serous pericardium consists of two sub-layers: the parietal pericardium, which adheres to the fibrous layer, and the visceral pericardium (epicardium), which is the outermost layer of the heart wall.

Pericardial Cavity

Located between the parietal and visceral pericardium, this cavity contains serous fluid that reduces friction during heart contraction.

Heart Wall Layers

Myocardium, the second layer and the thickest, contains cardiac muscle and a fibrous skeleton.
Endocardium lines the inner lumen of the heart, serving as the third and deepest layer.

Coronary Circulation

The myocardium requires a dedicated blood supply due to its thickness, serviced by coronary circulation.
The ascending aorta is the primary artery through which the left ventricle pumps blood.

Coronary Arteries

The right and left coronary arteries branch off the ascending aorta and travel along the atrioventricular sulci.
The right coronary artery supplies blood to the right atrium and ventricle, extending inferiorly and laterally.

Marginal and Interventricular Arteries

The marginal artery is the largest branch of the right coronary artery, typically originating near the heart's inferior border.
The posterior interventricular artery supplies blood to the ventricles, contributing to myocardial health.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the cardiovascular system with these flashcards. Learn about the heart's structure, position, and related terminology in a concise format. Ideal for students in A & P II class and those interested in human anatomy.