Heart and Thorax Anatomy Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What location is the heart to the lungs?

The heart is medial to the lungs.

Put the following layers in order from superficial to deep: Bone + Muscle, Skin, Adipose (fat).

Skin, Adipose, Muscle + Bone.

Are the left and right lungs symmetrical? If not, why?

No, the left lung has a shape adapted to make space for the heart.

Describe the colour and texture of the lungs and the heart.

Lungs are paler and spongier; the heart is mostly dark red muscle. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the length and degree of branching of the vessels connecting the heart and the lungs.

The pulmonary arteries and veins are very short because the heart and lungs are close to each other. Signup and view all the answers

What results when the coronary artery is blocked?

Death of the cardiac tissue beyond that area. Signup and view all the answers

Why are the major vessels of the heart on the surface and not deep within the cardiac muscle?

To prevent compression of the arteries during muscle contraction. Signup and view all the answers

What area of the heart does the left coronary artery supply?

Anterior interventricular artery and circumflex artery. Signup and view all the answers

What area of the heart does the anterior interventricular artery supply?

Anterior walls of both ventricles. Signup and view all the answers

What area of the heart does the circumflex artery supply?

Left atrium and posterior walls of the left ventricle. Signup and view all the answers

What area of the heart does the right coronary artery supply?

Supplies blood to the right marginal artery and posterior interventricular artery. Signup and view all the answers

What area of the heart does the right marginal artery supply?

Supplies blood to the lateral right side of the heart. Signup and view all the answers

What area of the heart does the posterior interventricular artery supply?

Supplies blood to the posterior interventricular walls. Signup and view all the answers

Which would be more serious, a blockage in the left coronary artery or the posterior interventricular artery?

A blockage in the left coronary artery is more serious. Signup and view all the answers

How are the thickness and rigidity of arteries different from veins?

Arteries are thicker and more rigid to withstand greater pressures. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the differences between the left and right atria.

There is not much difference; both are thin-walled compared to the ventricles. Signup and view all the answers

Is there a difference between the left and right ventricular walls?

Yes, left ventricular walls are much thicker. Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of the Right Ventricle?

<ol> <li>Positioned to form the majority of the anterior aspect of the heart. 2. Contains trabeculae carneae. 3. Commences with the tricuspid valve and houses chordae tendineae and papillary muscles.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of the Left Ventricle?

<ol> <li>Positioned to form the majority of the posterior aspect. 2. Larger chamber but ejects the same volume of blood per beat. 3. Commences with the biscuspid valve and houses chordae tendineae and papillary muscles.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the left ventricle thicker than the right?

Because it needs muscle mass to create a greater pressure. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the atrioventricular valves?

To stop backflow from ventricles to atria when the ventricles are contracting. Signup and view all the answers

What are the functions of chordae tendineae?

Connect valves to papillary muscles. Signup and view all the answers

What are the functions of the papillary muscles?

Hold the valves shut when the ventricles are contracting. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the valves in the heart?

To stop backflow from arteries into ventricles when ventricles are relaxed. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the oxygenation state of the blood in the coronary arteries.

High oxygen relative to veins. Signup and view all the answers

Which parts of the heart carry oxygenated blood?

<ol> <li>Aorta 2. Left Atrium 3. Left Ventricle 4. Pulmonary Vein 5. Aortic Valve.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Which parts of the heart carry deoxygenated blood?

<ol> <li>Right Atrium 2. Inferior Vena Cava 3. Pulmonary Artery 4. Right Ventricle.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Heart Position and Structure

Heart is medial to the lungs; lungs are lateral.
Left lung is not symmetrical; adapted for heart's position.

Layers of Tissue

Order from superficial to deep: Skin, Adipose (fat), Muscle + Bone.

Lung and Heart Characteristics

Lungs are paler, spongier; heart is dark red muscle with pink lung tissue due to alveolar blood.
Vessels connecting heart and lungs are short; pulmonary arteries branch quickly post-heart.

Blood Supply and Coronary System

Blockage in coronary artery leads to cardiac tissue death in the affected area.
Major vessels are on the heart surface to avoid compression during contractions.
Left coronary artery supplies anterior interventricular artery and circumflex artery.

Specific Artery Functions

Anterior interventricular artery supplies anterior walls of both ventricles.
Circumflex artery supplies left atrium and posterior left ventricle walls.
Right coronary artery supplies right marginal and posterior interventricular arteries.
Right marginal artery supplies lateral right side of the heart.
Posterior interventricular artery supplies posterior interventricular walls.

Blockage Implications

Blockages in major vessels (especially left coronary artery) are more serious and can cause extensive damage.

Artery and Vein Features

Arteries are thicker, more rigid, and withstand higher pressure than veins.
Veins can distend under pressure, making venous return reliant on skeletal muscle contractions.

Atria and Ventricles Differences

Left and right atria are similar; thin-walled compared to ventricles.
Left ventricular walls are thicker for greater pressure generation than the right; chamber volumes are similar.

Right Ventricle Characteristics

Makes up majority of the anterior heart aspect.
Contains trabeculae carneae; begins with tricuspid valve and contains chordae tendineae.

Left Ventricle Characteristics

Forms majority of the posterior heart aspect.
Larger chamber than right ventricle; both eject the same volume of blood.
Begins with the bicuspid (mitral) valve and contains chordae tendineae.

Valve Functions

Atrioventricular valves prevent backflow during ventricular contraction.
Chordae tendineae connect valves to papillary muscles.
Papillary muscles hold valves closed during contraction.
Heart valves prevent backflow from arteries into ventricles when relaxed.

Blood Oxygenation States

Coronary arteries carry high oxygen blood, enriched from lungs.
Oxygenated blood pathways include: Aorta, Left Atrium, Left Ventricle, Pulmonary Vein, Mitral Valve, and Aortic Valve.
Deoxygenated blood pathways include: Right Atrium, Inferior Vena Cava, Pulmonary Artery, Pulmonary Valve, and Right Ventricle.

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Description

Test your knowledge of heart and thorax anatomy with these flashcards. Cover topics such as the relative locations of the heart and lungs, the layers of tissue, and the asymmetry of the lungs. Perfect for those studying anatomy or preparing for exams.