BIOL121 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Pericardial Fluid, Pleural Cavity, Cardiac Muscle
4 Sep 2018
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Document Summary
Sits between two pleural cavities in the mediastinum. Is between parietal and visceral layers: contains pericardial fluid. Pericardial sac: fibrous tissue, surrounds and stabilises heart. Epicardium: outer layer, visceral pericardium, connective tissue, anchor, support. Endocardium: inner layer, secretes, absorbs, protects. Right atrium: collects blood from systemic circuit. Superior vena cava > right atrium > right ventricle > pumps blood. To lungs > comes back into heart via left atrium > left ventricle > Pumps blood to aorta > aorta pumps blood around the body. Foramen ovale: before birth, opening connecting atria, seals at birth, forms fossa ovalis, normally seals within 3 months of birth, e. g. When babies are born with a hole in their heart; their foramen ovale hasn"t sealed properly. Left larger than right ventricle but holds the same volume. Right ventricle wall is thinner; due to it only depositing blood to the lungs (not as much pressure needed as the left) Left ventricle does not have moderator band.
