PHYSCI 107 Chapter Notes - Chapter 12: Ligamentum Arteriosum, Congenital Heart Defect, Superior Vena Cava
25 Nov 2020
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The heart is located near the anterior chest wall, directly behind the sternum (figures 12-2a, 12- It sits in the anterior portion of the mediastinum, the connective tissue mass between the two pleural cavities (see figure 1-10c). The mediastinum also contains the great vessels (the largest arteries and veins in the body), thymus, esophagus, and trachea. The pericardium (pehr-ih-kar-d -um) surrounds the heart and consists of an outer fibrous pericardium and an inner serous pericardium. The fibrous pericardium contains a dense network of collagen fibers that stabilize the position of the heart and associated vessels within the mediastinum. The lining of the pericardium is called the serous pericardium. p. 111 this two-layered membrane is composed of an outer parietal layer and an inner visceral layer. The visceral layer of the serous membrane is also known as the epicardium. The potential, fluid-filled space between these two serous layers is the pericardial cavity.
