Mediastinum and Pericardium
What does the serous pericardium consist of? And what is its function?
*Visceral layer: lines the internal surface of the fibrous pericardium and reflects onto the heart. *Parietal layers: lines the external surface of the heart, forms the epicardium (outermost layer of the heart wall).
What is the pericardiacophrenic a.?
A branch of the internal thoracic a. that accompanies the phrenic a. to the diaphragm. Supplies the pericardium.
What is a pericardial tamponade?
A compression on the heart in the pericardial sac due to too much fluid in the pericardial cavity.
What is the pericardiacophrenic v.?
A tributary of the brachiocephalic (internal thoracic) vein. Drains pericardium.
What does the mediastinum contain?
All thoracic viscera except the lungs.
What are the subgroups of the pericardium?
Fibrous and Serous
Which part of the mediastinum contains the pericardium and its contents?
Middle Mediastinum
What is the specific function of the nerves?
Phrenic n.: sensory; refers pain to skin of dermatomes C3-C5 Sympathetic trunk: vasomotor Vagus: function uncertain
What is the pericardium cavity?
Potential space between the visceral and parietal layers of the serous pericardium.
Where does the transverse pericardial sinus run?
Runs transversely within the pericardial cavity between the aorta, pulmonary trunk & SVC
What are the borders of the mediastinum?
S. Superior Thoracic Aperture I. Diaphragm A. Sternum to Costal Cartilage P. Thoracic Vertebrae
What is the border of the superior mediastinum?
S: The superior thoracic aperture and (I): the horizontal plane (a.k.a. transverse thoracic plane) = sternal angle to IV Disk of T4-T5
What are the boundaries of the fibrous pericardium?
S: great vessels of the heart and pretracheal deep cervical fascia. I: Pericardiacophrenic ligament A: Sternopericardial ligament P: The structures of the posterior mediastinum by loose connective tissue.
What is the border of the inferior mediastinum?
S: the transverse thoracic plane and (I): Diaphragm
What are the parts of the mediastinum?
Superior Inferior Anterior Middle Posterior
What is the pericardiacophrenic ligament?
The central tendon of the diaphragm
What is the sternopericardial ligament?
The ligament that binds the fibrous pericardium anteriorly to the posterior surface of the sternum.
What covers the mediastinum?
The mediastinal surface of the parietal pleura.
What nerves innervate the pericardium?
The phrenic n. sympathetic trunk, and vagus n.
What is the oblique pericardial sinus?
a pocket-like recess in the pericardial cavity formed by the L atrium. It is a blind sac.
