The two main divisions of the pericardium are what?
fibrous on the outside and serous on the inside
The serous pericardium has what two layers?
parietal on the outside and visceral on the inside
Where on the heart does the pericardium attach?
above the heart, actually fusing with the adventitia of the great vessels
In addition to the great vessels, the pericardium attaches to what?
the diaphragm
What is the normal volume of liquid in the pericardial sac?
20 mL
The pericardial fluid is produced by what?
the visceral pericardium
The pericardial fluid most resembles what other fluid?
an ultrafiltrate of plasma
What are the two pericardial sinuses?
the transverse pericardial and the oblique pericardial sinuses
Where is the transverse pericardial sinus located?
Where is the oblique pericardial sinus located?
it is the most dependent (lowest) portion of the pericardial sac in a patient lying on their back
Leaking bypasses are likely to result in excess fluid where?
in the oblique pericardial sinus
Cardiac tamponade does what to stroke volume?
it prevents the chambers from fully expanding, thus limiting diastole and stroke volume
Classic indications of cardiac tamponade are what?
How is a pericardiocentesis performed?
- angle at 45 degrees and pointed towards medial edge of the left scapula
Pericarditis refers to inflammation of what?
the pericardial sac lining
What are three causes of pericarditis?
What are the three ways in which acute pericarditis can be classified?
Describe the pain associated with acute pericarditis.
Pericardial friction rub is highly specific for what?
acute pericarditis
Describe the sound generated by a pericardial friction rub.
- becomes louder with forced expiration
Most of the blood to and from the pericardium travels via what vessels?
the pericardiophrenic artery and vein
The pericardiophrenic artery supplies what?
the pericardium
The pericardiophrenic artery runs alongside what other structure?
the phrenic nerve
The pericardium is innervated via what?
the phrenic nerve, which carries motor efferents and sensory afferents