NURS 203 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Venae Cavae, Chordae Tendineae, Heart Valve
Document Summary
Mediastinum- cavity, middle third of the thoracic cage. Base- top of the heart: vena cava (superior and inferior), pulmonary arteries and veins, and the aorta all come off the base of the heart. Apex- bottom of the heart (think of the heart like an inverted triangle) Pericardium- outer layer, has two layers that contain pericardial fluid which ensures smooth, friction free movement of the heart muscle: parietal- outside layer, visceral- inside layer. Myocardium- bulk of the heart, responsible for the pumping action, thinner on the right side of the heart and thicker on the lef. Endocardium- lining of the heart and heart vessels. Mitral- lef side of the heart: semilunar (sl) valve- opens with ventricular systole. Aortic valve- lef side of the heart. Heart pumps : 100 000 times/day, 35 million times/year, 2. 5 billion times/average lifetime, through 120 000 km of blood vessels, 4-6 l of blood/minute, 3-5 million l/year.
