Heart and Great Vessels Anatomy

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Questions and Answers

What is the approximate size of the adult heart?

Size of a head

Size of a clenched adult fist (correct)

Size of a foot

Size of a palm

Where is the base of the heart located?

At the 2nd intercostal space (correct)

At the 5th intercostal space

At the 7th intercostal space

At the xiphoid process

What is the point of maximal impulse (PMI)?

The area where the heart beats the fastest

The area where the heart valves are located

The area where the apical pulsation can be seen or palpated (correct)

The area where the heart is attached to the lungs

In which direction is the heart rotated?

The right side is more anterior and the left side is more posterior Signup and view all the answers

What is the location of the apex of the heart?

At the 5th intercostal space, 7 to 9 cm left of the midsternal line Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the female heart and the male heart in terms of size and weight?

The female heart is smaller and lighter than the male heart Signup and view all the answers

What is the location of the inferior border of the heart?

At the junction between the xiphoid process and the sternum to the left 5th intercostal space Signup and view all the answers

What is the pericardium?

A sac that surrounds the heart Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following vessels carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left side of the heart?

Pulmonary veins Signup and view all the answers

Where are the carotid arteries located in the neck?

In the depression between the trachea and sternomastoid muscle Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the superior and inferior vena cava?

To return deoxygenated blood from the body to the right side of the heart Signup and view all the answers

Which vessels are visible in the depression above the middle of the clavicle?

External jugular veins Signup and view all the answers

What is the direction of the great vessels originating from the base of the heart?

Towards the body part that they supply Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following vessels is not palpable?

Internal jugular veins Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the pulmonary artery?

To carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs Signup and view all the answers

What is the location of the precordial area on the anterior chest?

Between the 2nd and 5th ICS at the right sternal border to approximately the 2nd and 5th ICS at the left MCL Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.

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Description

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.