What are the 3 branches of the arch of the aorta?
What are the branches of the brachiocephalic trunk?
Right common carotid (LHS). Right subclavian (RHS).
What is the ligamentum arteriosum a remnant of and what was its function in the foetus?
Remnant of the ductus arteriosum. It’s function was to shunt blood between the pulmonary trunk and the aorta in order to bypass the non-functioning lungs.
What branch does the left vagus nerve give off as it crosses the arch of the aorta?
The left recurrent laryngeal nerve.
Briefly describe the anatomical course of the right phrenic nerve.
Lies on large veins (brachiocephalic, superior vena cava) and along the right side of the heart. Crosses in front of root of the lung.
Briefly describe the anatomical course of the left phrenic nerve.
Crosses the arch of the aorta and descends in front of the root of the lung.
What spinal roots is the phrenic nerve derived?
What does the phrenic nerve supply?
Motor innervation to the diaphragm. Sensory innervation to the pleura, peritoneum and pericardium.
Briefly describe the anatomical course of the left vagus nerve.
Crosses the aorta and behind the root of the lung. Breaks up into branches on the oesophagus (oesophageal plexus) and leaves the thorax as the anterior gastric nerve.
Briefly describe the anatomical course of the right vagus nerve.
Lies on the trachea and crosses behind the root of the lung. Breaks up into branches on the oesophagus and leaves the thorax as the posterior gastric nerve.
Does the phrenic nerve enter the diaphragm? If so where?
Yes. It pierces the central tendon of the diaphragm alongside the IVC on the right (T8).
Does the vagus nerve enter the diaphragm? If so where?
Yes. Through the oesophageal hiatus (T10).
What are the layers of the pericardium?
What structures form the left border of the heart?
What is the surface marking for the apex of the heart?
5th intercostal space in the mid-clavicular line.
What forms the right border of the heart?
The right sternal edge.
On what aspect of the heart would you find the left atrium?
The posterior aspect. It is closely related to the oesophagus.
Where is the Right coronary artery found?
In the atrio-ventricular sulcus.
Name the 3 main branches of the Right coronary artery.
In 90% of hearts where does the posterior inter-ventricular artery arise from?
Right coronary artery
In 30% of hearts where does the posterior inter-ventricular artery arise from?
The circumflex artery.
In 20% of hearts where does the posterior inter-ventricular artery arise from?
The right coronary artery and the circumflex artery.
Name the 2 main branches of the left cononary artery.
In what sulcus does the circumflex artery lie? What other large vessel can be found here?
Left atrio-ventricular sulcus. The coronary sinus can also be found here. IT passes posteriorly and drains into the RA.