Heart Structure and Location

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Questions and Answers

What is the location of the heart in the chest?

Equally divided on both sides of the median plane

Completely to the right of the median plane

Completely to the left of the median plane

One-third to the right and two-thirds to the left of the median plane (correct)

What forms the broad base of the heart?

The left ventricle and apex

The right atrium and right ventricle

Both atria, primarily the left atrium (correct)

Both ventricles

What is the location of the apex of the heart?

At the level of the eighth intercostal space, lateral to the midclavicular line

At the level of the fifth intercostal space, just medial to the midclavicular line (correct)

At the level of the tenth intercostal space, superior to the midclavicular line

At the level of the second intercostal space, medial to the midclavicular line

What forms the sternocostal surface of the heart?

Primarily the right atrium and right ventricle with a small contribution from the left ventricle Signup and view all the answers

What forms the diaphragmatic surface of the heart?

Both ventricles and a small portion of the right atrium Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the pericardial sac?

To surround the heart and the proximal portions of the great vessels Signup and view all the answers

What is the fibrous pericardium attached to?

The central tendon of the diaphragm Signup and view all the answers

What structure pierces the fibrous pericardium?

The inferior vena cava Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the serous fluid found in the pericardial cavity?

To act as a lubricant to reduce friction between the heart and the fibrous pericardium Signup and view all the answers

What is the layer of fat located between the parietal pericardium and the heart wall?

Epicardial fat Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following layers of the heart wall is lined with endothelium?

Endocardium Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the groove that separates the atria from the ventricles?

Atrioventricular groove Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a layer of the heart wall?

Pericardium Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the septum that separates the two atria?

Interatrial septum Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the endothelial layer lining the heart valves?

To reduce friction Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the fat present within the thoracic cavity external to the parietal pericardium?

Mediastinal fat Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Heart Structure and Location

The heart is a hollow, four-chambered muscular organ located in the middle mediastinum.
It is situated obliquely in the chest, with one-third of its mass to the right of the median plane and two-thirds to the left.
The heart has four surfaces: sternocostal (anterior), diaphragmatic (inferior), pulmonary (left), and four borders: right, inferior, left, and superior.

Superficial Landmarks

The base (posterior aspect) is the most superior and posterior portion of the heart, formed by both atria, primarily the left atrium.
The apex is formed by the left ventricle and points inferiorly, anteriorly, and to the left.
The apex is located at the level of the fifth intercostal space, just medial to the midclavicular line.

Pericardium

The heart is enclosed in a pericardial sac that surrounds the heart and the proximal portions of the great vessels.
The pericardial sac consists of a fibrous pericardium and a double-layered serous membrane (serous pericardium).
The serous pericardium has two layers: parietal (lining the inner surface of the fibrous pericardium) and visceral (covering the outer surface of the heart and great vessels).

Heart Wall

The heart wall consists of three layers: epicardium (thin outer layer), myocardium (thick middle layer of cardiac muscle), and endocardium (thin, endothelial layer lining the inner surface).
The endothelial layer also lines the valves of the heart and is continuous with the inner lining of the blood vessels.

Heart Chambers

The heart is divided into four chambers: right and left atria and right and left ventricles.
The atria are separated by the interatrial septum, and the ventricles are divided by the interventricular septum.
The atria are separated from the ventricles by the coronary groove (atrioventricular groove or sulcus).
The ventricles are separated by two depressions or sulci on the anterior and posterior surfaces of the heart.

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Description

Learn about the anatomy of the heart, including its location, surfaces, and borders. Understand the superficial landmarks of the heart and its positioning in the chest.