Heart and Great Vessels Anatomy

Heart Location and Structure

• The heart is located in the mediastinum, between the lungs and above the diaphragm, in a sac called the pericardium.
• The total size of the heart is approximately that of a clenched adult fist.
• The female heart is generally smaller and weighs less than the male heart across all age groups.

Heart Position and Landmarks

• The base of the heart is the uppermost portion and the apex is the lower portion of the heart.
• The base of the heart is found at the 2nd intercostal space (ICS), spanning from the left sternal border to the right sternal border.
• The apex is located in the 5th ICS, 7 to 9 cm (2¾ to 3½ in.) left of the midsternal line.
• The point of maximal impulse (PMI) is located at the intersection of the 5th ICS mitral area and the left midclavicular line (MCL).

Great Vessels

• The venous great vessels are the jugular veins, superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, and pulmonary artery.
• The superior and inferior vena cava return deoxygenated blood from the body to the right side of the heart.
• The pulmonary artery carries venous blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs to be oxygenated.
• The arterial great vessels include the aorta and pulmonary veins.
• The pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left side of the heart.
• The aorta carries blood to the body.

Neck Vessels

• The neck vessels include the carotid arteries and internal and external jugular veins.
• The carotid arteries transport blood from the heart to the head.
• The internal jugular vein is deeper and nearer the carotid artery, and is not visible or palpable.
• The external jugular vein is visible in the depression above the middle of the clavicle.

This quiz covers the location, size, and differences between male and female hearts in the thorax. It also introduces the concept of the pericardium and its role in the cardiovascular system.