Lecture 1.1a - CVS Anatomy PDF

Functions of the pericardium: ◦Fixes the heart in the mediastinum and limits its motion (heart sits on the diaphragm) ◦Prevents overfilling of the heart (implications in pericardial effusion) ‣ Normal amount of pericardial fluid is 20-50ml ‣ If pericardial fluid reach...

Functions of the pericardium: ◦Fixes the heart in the mediastinum and limits its motion (heart sits on the diaphragm) ◦Prevents overfilling of the heart (implications in pericardial effusion) ‣ Normal amount of pericardial fluid is 20-50ml ‣ If pericardial fluid reaches 100ml, overfilling can take place ◦Lubrication ◦Protection from infection Pericardium: clinical implications: ◦Pericardial effusion: ‣ Acute or chronic accumulation of fluid within pericardial space ‣ Reasons: Infection, inflammatory conditions, cancer/cancer treatments, trauma, idiopathic ‣ Can lead to cardiac tamponade: compression of ventricles leading to reduced cardiac output and shock Innervation of pericardium: ◦Phrenic nerve (C3-C5) provides sensory supply to the fibrous and parietal pericardium ◦Pain sensations conveyed by these nerves are commonly referred to the skin (C3-C5 dermatomes) ◦Common source of referred pain in pericarditis Pericardial sinuses: ◦Sinuses are cavities that are present in the heart ‣ Transverse pericardial sinus - primordial arterial and venous ends of the developing heart are brought together ‣ Pericardial oblique reflection - veins expand and pericardial reflection is carried out around them