ABCP Review - Basic Science: Anatomy UPDATED ACTUAL Questions
and CORRECT Answers
1. Mediastinum - Mass of tissues between the lungs that extends from the sternum to the
(describe, define, vertebral column; divided into superior and inferior sections
details) - Great vessels lie within the superior mediastinum
- Thymus lies within the anterior, inferior mediastinum
- Heart lies within the pericardium in the middle, inferior mediastinum between
the second and fifth intercostal space
- Esophagus and aorta are in the posterior, inferior mediastinum
2. Where do the The superior mediastinum
great vessels lie
within the medi-
astinum?
3. Where does the The anterior, inferior mediastinum
thymus lie within
the mediastinum?
4. Where does the The pericardium in the middle, inferior mediastinum, between the second and
heart lie within fifth intercostal space
the mediastinum?
5. Where do the The posterior, inferior mediastinum
esophagus and
aorta lie within
the mediastinum?
6. How many lay- Two layers - strong outer fibrous layer (fibrous pericardium) and inner serosal
ers are there to layer (serous pericardium)
the pericardium?
What are the two
layers?
,7.
, Describe the fi- Strong outer fibrous layer.
brous pericardi- - Prevents over-distension of heart
um. - Provides tough protective membrane
- Anchors heart in mediastinum
8. Describe the Inner serosal layer.
serous pericardi- - Consists of two layers
um. - Parietal layer just below fibrous pericardium
- Visceral layer (epicardium) overlies the myocardium
- Space between visceral and parietal contains ~50mL of pericardial fluid
9. What are the two Parietal, just below fibrous pericardium
layers of serous
pericardium? Visceral (epicardium), overlies the myocardium
10. How much peri- ~50mL
cardial fluid is
contained be-
tween the viscer-
al and parietal lay-
ers of serous peri-
cardium?
11. What are some Sinus venarum - smooth, posterior part where inferior vena cava, superior vena
components of cava and coronary sinus enter
the right atrium
relevant to CPB? Auricle - atrial appendage
- Common site for venous cannulation
- Musculi pectinati (pectinated muscle)
--> Increases surface area
--> Mainly in right atrium
--> Separated from sinus venarum by crista terminalis
and CORRECT Answers
1. Mediastinum - Mass of tissues between the lungs that extends from the sternum to the
(describe, define, vertebral column; divided into superior and inferior sections
details) - Great vessels lie within the superior mediastinum
- Thymus lies within the anterior, inferior mediastinum
- Heart lies within the pericardium in the middle, inferior mediastinum between
the second and fifth intercostal space
- Esophagus and aorta are in the posterior, inferior mediastinum
2. Where do the The superior mediastinum
great vessels lie
within the medi-
astinum?
3. Where does the The anterior, inferior mediastinum
thymus lie within
the mediastinum?
4. Where does the The pericardium in the middle, inferior mediastinum, between the second and
heart lie within fifth intercostal space
the mediastinum?
5. Where do the The posterior, inferior mediastinum
esophagus and
aorta lie within
the mediastinum?
6. How many lay- Two layers - strong outer fibrous layer (fibrous pericardium) and inner serosal
ers are there to layer (serous pericardium)
the pericardium?
What are the two
layers?
,7.
, Describe the fi- Strong outer fibrous layer.
brous pericardi- - Prevents over-distension of heart
um. - Provides tough protective membrane
- Anchors heart in mediastinum
8. Describe the Inner serosal layer.
serous pericardi- - Consists of two layers
um. - Parietal layer just below fibrous pericardium
- Visceral layer (epicardium) overlies the myocardium
- Space between visceral and parietal contains ~50mL of pericardial fluid
9. What are the two Parietal, just below fibrous pericardium
layers of serous
pericardium? Visceral (epicardium), overlies the myocardium
10. How much peri- ~50mL
cardial fluid is
contained be-
tween the viscer-
al and parietal lay-
ers of serous peri-
cardium?
11. What are some Sinus venarum - smooth, posterior part where inferior vena cava, superior vena
components of cava and coronary sinus enter
the right atrium
relevant to CPB? Auricle - atrial appendage
- Common site for venous cannulation
- Musculi pectinati (pectinated muscle)
--> Increases surface area
--> Mainly in right atrium
--> Separated from sinus venarum by crista terminalis
