Anatomy of the Pericardium

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Questions and Answers

What is the function of the fibrous pericardium?

To prevent the heart from expanding too much (correct)

To produce pericardial fluid

To attach the heart to the posterior surface of the sternum

To facilitate the movement of the heart and great vessels

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the fibrous pericardium?

It is attached to the central tendon of the diaphragm

It is the outermost layer of the pericardium

It is a single-walled membrane (correct)

It is made of connective tissue

What is the relationship between the fibrous pericardium and the tunica adventitia of the great vessels?

The tunica adventitia is a part of the fibrous pericardium

They are separate structures

They are fused together (correct)

The fibrous pericardium is a part of the tunica adventitia

What is the pericardial cavity?

The space between the parietal and visceral layers of the serous pericardium Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the serous pericardium directly covers the heart and the roots of the great vessels?

Visceral layer Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the pericardial fluid?

To reduce friction between the heart and the pericardium Signup and view all the answers

What is the attachment of the fibrous pericardium to the posterior surface of the sternum called?

Sternopericardial ligaments Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the parietal layer of the serous pericardium?

To attach to the fibrous pericardium Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the thin film of serous fluid in the pericardium?

To enable the heart to move and beat in a frictionless environment Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic sound heard during auscultation in cases of pericarditis?

A rustling sound like the rustle of silk Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the heart wall is formed by the visceral layer of serous pericardium?

Epicardium Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the ventricular septum?

To separate the right and left ventricles Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following blood vessels empties into the right atrium?

Superior vena cava Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic feature of the posterior part of the right atrium?

It is smooth and thin-walled Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the pectinate muscles in the right atrium?

To facilitate contraction of the atrium Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the ear-like pouch that projects from the right atrium?

Auricle Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the left atrium and the right atrium?

The left atrium has a thicker wall than the right atrium. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the interatrial septum in the left atrium?

It separates the left and right atria. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the pectinate muscles in the left atrium?

They provide structural support to the auricle. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the left ventricle thicker than the right ventricle?

Because it pumps oxygenated blood to the entire body. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the trabeculae carneae in the left ventricle?

They provide structural support to the ventricular walls. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the aortic vestibule in the left ventricle?

It provides a smooth transition for blood to flow into the aorta. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the aortic orifice and the aortic valve?

The aortic valve is attached to the fibrous ring of the aortic orifice. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the left ventricle perform more work than the right ventricle?

Because it pumps oxygenated blood to the entire body. Signup and view all the answers

What prevents blood backflow into the left atrium?

The closure of the semilunar valve Signup and view all the answers

At which level is the pulmonary valve located?

The level of the left third costal cartilage Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the pulmonary sinuses?

To prevent the cusps from sticking to the wall of the pulmonary trunk Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following arises from the posterior aortic sinus?

No artery arises from the posterior aortic sinus Signup and view all the answers

What occurs in the capillaries of systemic circulation?

Gas exchange Signup and view all the answers

What is the direction of blood flow in the systemic veins?

From the capillaries to the superior and inferior vena cavae Signup and view all the answers

Where do the superior and inferior vena cavae drain blood into?

The right atrium Signup and view all the answers

What is the direction of blood flow from the left ventricle?

Into the aorta Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the fibrous heart skeleton?

To separate the atria and ventricles and provide a framework for cardiac muscle tissue Signup and view all the answers

What type of valve is also known as the tricuspid valve?

Right atrioventricular valve Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of the fibrous heart skeleton?

Regulating blood pressure in the ventricles Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the valve that separates the left atrium from the left ventricle?

Mitral valve Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the chordae tendineae in the atrioventricular valves?

To prevent backflow of blood into the atria Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the atrioventricular valves and the semilunar valves?

Their location in the heart Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the semilunar valves in the heart?

To separate the ventricles from the output large vessels Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the type of connective tissue that forms the fibrous heart skeleton?

Dense irregular connective tissue Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Pericardium

The pericardium is a double-walled fibrous membrane that encloses the heart and the roots of great vessels.
It lies posterior to the body of the sternum and the second to sixth costal cartilages.
The fibrous pericardium is the tough, outermost layer that prevents the heart from expanding too much.
The internal surface of the fibrous pericardium is lined with serous pericardium.
The fibrous pericardium is fused with the tunica adventitia of great vessels, attached to the posterior surface of the sternum by sternopericardial ligaments, and fused with the central tendon of the diaphragm.

Serous Pericardium

The serous pericardium is the inner layer of the pericardium, made up of two layers: parietal and visceral layers.
The parietal layer is the outer layer, firmly attached to the fibrous pericardium.
The visceral layer is the innermost layer, directly covering the heart and roots of great vessels.
The pericardial cavity is the space between the two layers of the serous pericardium, holding the pericardial fluid.

Pericarditis and Pericardial Effusion

Normally, the layers of serous pericardium make no detectable sound during auscultation.
Pericarditis makes the surfaces rough, resulting in a pericardial friction rub, which sounds like the rustle of silk when listening with a stethoscope.
Certain inflammatory diseases may produce pericardial effusion.

Heart Wall

The wall of the heart consists of three layers: epicardium, myocardium, and endocardium.
The epicardium is a thin external layer formed by the visceral layer of serous pericardium.
The myocardium is a thick middle layer composed of cardiac muscle.
The endocardium is a thin internal layer, or lining membrane of the heart, that also covers its valves.

Heart Chambers

The heart is divided into four chambers: right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, and left ventricle.
The atria are separated by the atrial septum, and the ventricles are separated by the ventricular septum.
The ventricles have thicker walls and pump blood to the lungs and body.

Right Atrium

The right atrium forms the right border of the heart and receives venous blood from the superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, and coronary sinus.
The ear-like right auricle is a small, conical muscular pouch that projects from the right atrium and overlaps the ascending aorta.

Left Atrium

The left atrium forms most of the base of the heart, where the pairs of valveless right and left pulmonary veins enter.
The interior of the left atrium has a smooth-walled part, a smaller muscular auricle containing pectinate muscles, four pulmonary veins entering its posterior wall, a slightly thicker wall than that of the right atrium, and an interatrial septum that slopes posteriorly and to the right.

Left Ventricle

The left ventricle forms the apex of the heart, nearly all of its left (pulmonary) surface and border, and most of the diaphragmatic surface.
Because arterial pressure is much higher in the systemic than in the pulmonary circulation, the left ventricle performs more work than the right ventricle.
The interior of the left ventricle has a double-leaflet mitral valve, walls that are two to three times as thick as those of the right ventricle, a conical cavity, and walls covered with thick muscular ridges, trabeculae carneae.

Fibrous Skeleton of the Heart

The fibrous heart skeleton is located between the atria and ventricles and is formed from dense irregular connective tissue.
It separates the atria and ventricles, anchors heart valves by forming supportive rings at their attachment points, provides electrical insulation between atria and ventricles, and provides a rigid framework for the attachment of cardiac muscle tissue.

Valves of the Heart

There are two types of valves in the heart: atrioventricular valves and semilunar valves.
Atrioventricular valves separate the atria from the ventricles, and semilunar valves separate the ventricles from the output large vessels (aorta and pulmonary arteries).

Right Atrioventricular Valve

The right atrioventricular valve, also called the tricuspid valve, separates the right atrium from the right ventricle and has three triangular flaps.
Venous blood flows from the right atrium, through the valve into the right ventricle, and is forced closed when the right ventricle begins to contract, preventing blood backflow into the right atrium.

Left Atrioventricular Valve

The left atrioventricular valve, also called the bicuspid valve or mitral valve, separates the left atrium from the left ventricle and has chordae tendineae.
Oxygenated blood flows from the left atrium into the left ventricle, and is forced closed when the left ventricle begins to contract, preventing blood backflow into the left atrium.

Semilunar Valves

The pulmonary valve, located at the apex of the conus arteriosus, is at the level of the left third costal cartilage.
The aortic valve, obliquely placed, is located between the left ventricle and the root of the aorta.

Pulmonary and Systemic Circulation

Systemic circulation: oxygenated blood from the left ventricle is pumped into the aorta and then into smaller systemic arteries; gas exchange in tissues occurs from capillaries; systemic veins then carry deoxygenated blood and waste products.
Pulmonary circulation: deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle is pumped into the pulmonary artery and then into smaller pulmonary arteries; gas exchange in lungs occurs from capillaries; pulmonary veins then carry oxygenated blood and return it to the left atrium.

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Description

Understanding the pericardium, a double-walled fibrous membrane that encloses the heart and its great vessels. Learn about the fibrous and serous pericardium layers.