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Functions of the papillary muscles and tendon filaments. Leaf valves: structure and characteristics

Despite the fact that the heart makes up only half a percent of the total body weight, it is the most important of the organs of the human body. It is the normal functioning of the heart muscle that makes possible the full work of all organs and systems. The complex structure of the heart is best adapted to the distribution of arterial and venous blood flows. From the point of view of medicine, it is cardiac pathologies that occupy the first place among human diseases.

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    Location

    The heart is located in the chest cavity. In front of him is the sternum. The organ is displaced slightly to the left in relation to the sternum. It is located at the level of the sixth and eighth thoracic vertebrae.

    On all sides, the heart is surrounded by a special serous membrane. This membrane is called the pericardium. It forms its own cavity called the pericardial. Being in this cavity makes it easier for the organ to slide in relation to other tissues and organs.

    Position Options

    From the point of view of radiological criteria, the following options for the position of the heart muscle are distinguished:

    • The most common is oblique.
    • As if suspended, with a shift of the left border to the median line - vertical.
    • Spread on the underlying diaphragm - horizontal.

    Options for the position of the heart muscle depend on the morphological constitution of a person. In an asthenic, it is vertical. In a normosthenic, the heart is oblique, and in a hypersthenic, it is horizontal.

    Structure and form

    The heart muscle is cone shaped. The base of the organ is expanded and turned backwards and upwards. The main vessels approach the base of the organ. The structure and functions of the heart are inextricably linked.

    The following surfaces are distinguished in the heart muscle:

    • anterior, facing the sternum;
    • lower, deployed to the diaphragm;
    • lateral, facing the lungs.

    Furrows are visualized on the heart muscle, reflecting the location of its internal cavities:

    • Coronal furrow. It is located at the base of the heart muscle and is located on the border of the ventricles and atria.
    • Interventricular grooves. They go along the anterior and posterior surfaces of the organ, along the border between the ventricles.

    Heart valves and chambers

    The human heart muscle has four chambers. A transverse partition divides it into two cavities. Each cavity is divided into two chambers.

    One chamber is atrial and the other is ventricular. Venous blood circulates in the left side of the heart muscle, and arterial blood circulates in the right side.

    The right atrium is a muscular cavity into which the superior and inferior vena cava open. In the upper part of the atria, a protrusion is distinguished - the ear. The inner walls of the atrium are smooth, except for the surface of the protrusion. On the site of the transverse septum, which separates the atrial cavity from the ventricle, there is an oval fossa. It is completely closed. In the intrauterine period, a window opened in its place, through which a mixture of venous and arterial blood took place. In the lower part of the right atrium is the atrioventricular opening through which venous blood enters the right ventricle from the right atrium.

    Blood enters the right ventricle from the right atrium at the time of its contraction and relaxation of the ventricle. At the moment of contraction of the left ventricle, blood is pushed into the pulmonary trunk.

    The atrioventricular orifice is closed by a valve of the same name. This valve also has another name - tricuspid. The three leaflets of the valve are folds of the inner surface of the ventricle. Special muscles are attached to the valves, which prevent them from eversion into the atrial cavity at the time of contraction of the ventricles. On the inner surface of the ventricle is a large number of transverse muscle bars.

    The opening of the pulmonary trunk is blocked by a special semilunar valve. When closed, it prevents the reverse flow of blood from the pulmonary trunk at the moment of relaxation of the ventricles.

    Blood enters the left atrium through four pulmonary veins. It has a protrusion - an ear. The comb muscles are well developed in the ear. Blood from the left atrium enters the left ventricle through the left atrioventricular orifice.

    The left ventricle has thicker walls than the right. On the inner surface of the ventricle, developed muscle crossbars and two papillary muscles are clearly visible. These muscles are attached to the bicuspid left atrioventricular valve with the help of elastic tendon filaments. They prevent eversion of the valve leaflets into the cavity of the left atrium at the time of contraction of the left ventricle.

    The aorta originates from the left ventricle. The aorta is closed by the tricuspid semilunar valve. The valves prevent the return of blood from the aorta to the left ventricle when it relaxes.

    Support system

    In relation to other organs, the heart is in a certain position with the help of the following fixation formations:

    • large blood vessels;
    • ring-shaped accumulations of fibrous tissue;
    • fibrous triangles.

    The wall of the heart muscle consists of three layers: inner, middle and outer:

    1. 1. The inner layer (endocardium) consists of a connective tissue plate and covers the entire inner surface of the heart. Tendon muscles and filaments attached to the endocardium form the heart valves. Beneath the endocardium is an additional basement membrane.
    2. 2. The middle layer (myocardium) consists of striated muscle fibers. Each muscle fiber is a cluster of cells - cardiomyocytes. Visually, dark stripes are visible between the fibers, which are inserts that play an important role in the transfer of electrical excitation between cardiomyocytes. Outside, muscle fibers are surrounded by connective tissue, which contains nerves and blood vessels that provide trophic function.
    3. 3. The outer layer (epicardium) is a serous sheet, tightly fused with the myocardium.

    Conducting system

    In the heart muscle there is a special conducting system of the organ. It is involved in the direct regulation of rhythmic contractions of muscle fibers and intercellular coordination. The cells of the conduction system of the heart muscle, myocytes, have a special structure and rich innervation.

    The conduction system of the heart consists of a cluster of nodes and bundles organized in a special way. This system is localized under the endocardium. In the right atrium is the sinoatrial node, which is the main generator of cardiac excitation.

    From this node, the interatrial bundle departs, which is involved in synchronous atrial contraction. Also, three bundles of conductive fibers depart from the sinoatrial node to the atrioventricular node, located in the region of the coronary sulcus. Large branches of the conducting system break up into smaller ones and then into the smallest ones, forming a single conducting network of the heart.

    This system ensures the synchronous work of the myocardium and the coordinated work of all departments of the organ.

    The pericardium is a membrane that forms a pericardial sac around the heart. This shell reliably separates the heart muscle from other organs. The pericardium consists of two layers. Dense fibrous and thin serous.

    The serous layer consists of two sheets. A space filled with serous fluid forms between the sheets. This circumstance allows the heart muscle to slide comfortably during contractions.

    Physiology

    Automatism is the main functional quality of the heart muscle to contract under the influence of impulses that are generated in it. The automatism of cardiac cells is directly related to the properties of the membrane of cardiomyocytes. The cell membrane is semi-permeable to sodium and potassium ions, which form an electric potential on its surface. The rapid movement of ions creates conditions for increasing the excitability of the heart muscle. At the moment of reaching electrochemical equilibrium, the heart muscle is unexcitable.

    The energy supply of the myocardium occurs due to the formation of energy substrates ATP and ADP in the mitochondria of muscle fibers. For the full-fledged work of the myocardium, adequate blood supply is necessary, which is provided by the coronary arteries extending from the aortic arch. The activity of the heart muscle is directly related to the work of the central nervous system and the system of cardiac reflexes. Reflexes play a regulatory role, ensuring the optimal functioning of the heart in constantly changing conditions.

    Features of nervous regulation:

    • adaptive and triggering effect on the work of the heart muscle;
    • balancing metabolic processes in the heart muscle;
    • humoral regulation of organ activity.

    General Functions

    The functions of the heart are:

    • It is able to exert pressure on the blood flow and saturate organs and tissues with oxygen.
    • It can remove carbon dioxide and waste products from the body.
    • Each cardiomyocyte is capable of being excited under the influence of impulses.
    • The cardiac muscle is able to conduct an impulse between cardiomyocytes along a special conduction system.
    • After excitation, the heart muscle is able to contract with the atria or ventricles, pumping blood.

    The heart is one of the most perfect organs of the human body. It has a set of amazing qualities: power, tirelessness and the ability to adapt to constantly changing environmental conditions. Thanks to the work of the heart, oxygen and nutrients enter all tissues and organs. It provides continuous blood flow throughout the body. The human body is a complex and coordinated system, where the heart is the main driving force.

  • Papillary muscles of the atrioventricular valve
  • Leaflets and tendinous chords of the right atrioventricular valve
  • Papillary muscles of the right atrioventricular valve
  • Atrioventricular conduction system of the heart
  • Changes in the topography of the conducting system in diseases
  • Epicardial, myocardial, endocardial plexuses
  • Changes in the nervous apparatus of the heart in pathological conditions
  • Congenital absence of the myocardium of the right ventricle, common atrioventricular canal, atresia of the mitral valve, tricuspid valve, inversion of the heart chambers
  • Exit of the aorta and pulmonary trunk from the right ventricle, from the left ventricle
  • Left ventricular-right atrial fistula, left ventricular-aortic tunnel, coronary heart fistula, communication between the right pulmonary artery and the left atrium
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    The papillary muscles are a continuation of the myocardium of the left ventricle and occupy the middle third of the length of its walls. Papillary muscles can have a common base and several apices, 1 base and 1 apex, 1 apex and several bases. In connection with the foregoing, one-, two- and three-papillary muscles can be distinguished. The shape of the papillary muscles is varied. There are muscles of a cylindrical, conical shape, in the form of a truncated tetrahedral pyramid.
    The total number of papillary muscles in the left ventricle ranges from 2 to 6. Most often (in 68.3% of cases) there are 2 papillary muscles: 1 on the anterior and 1 on the posterior wall. Three papillary muscles (in 7.8% of cases) are distributed differently on the walls of the ventricle: on the anterior wall there was 1 muscle and on the posterior 2 (in 4%), on the anterior 2, on the posterior 1 (in 2.9%). With 5 papillary muscles (in 8.8%), there are the following combinations: on the anterior 2, on the posterior 3 (in 4.9%), on the anterior 1, on the posterior 4 (in 2.4%), on the anterior 3, on posterior 2 (in 1.5%). Finally, if there are 6 papillary muscles in the ventricle (in 5.9% of cases), they are located as follows: on the anterior wall 2, on the posterior 4 (in 2.5%), on the anterior 3, on the posterior 3 (in 1.9%). %), on the front 1, on the back 5 (in 1.5%) (Fig. 39).
    Y children also most often (in 65.2% of cases) there are 2 papillary muscles - 1 on each wall. Less commonly observed were 3 muscles (in 13%) - 1-2 on each wall, 4 muscles (in 13%) - 2 or 1-3 on each wall, 5 and 6 muscles (4.4% each) in various combinations .
    Comparison of the data obtained revealed certain relationships between the number of papillary muscles and the width of the heart. The smaller the width of the heart, the smaller the number of papillary muscles in the left ventricle, and vice versa.

    Rice. 39. Different number of papillary muscles in the left atrioventricular valve. Preparations of Ya. G. Monastyrsky.
    a - in the valve 6 papillary muscles; b - in the valve 3 papillary muscles. The arrows indicate the valves.

    The length of the papillary muscles in adults is 1.3-4.7 cm (up to 2 cm - in 31% of cases, 2.1-2.8 cm - in 45%, 2.9-3.8 cm - in 19%, 3.9-4.7 cm - in 5%). In children under 3 years old, papillary muscles are 0.5-1.2 cm long (usually 0.7 cm), in 4-10-year-olds - 0.7-1.8 cm (usually 1-1.5 cm), to At the age of 18, their length reaches 2.3-3.5 cm. In men of all age groups, it is 2-5 mm longer than in women. The length of the papillary muscles is clearly related to the length of the heart: with a greater length of the heart, a greater length of the papillary muscles is observed, and vice versa.
    The thickness of the papillary muscles is 0.7-2.5 cm. The thickness of the muscles of 1.9-2.5 cm was present in 43% of cases, 1.3-1.8 cm in 36% and cm at 21%. The length and width of the papillary muscles is inversely proportional. With a short muscle length, they are wide, and vice versa, long muscles are usually narrow.
    With mitral valve stenosis, the shape and size of the papillary muscles change depending on the stage of the lesion. In the first 2 stages, the contours of the papillary muscles are more or less clearly defined, the muscles themselves are thickened and elongated. In the III stage of stenosis, the papillary muscles are soldered together and form a single conglomerate, growing together from the side of the ventricle. The tops of the muscles are fused with the valves.
    When replacing a stenotic mitral valve with prostheses, surgeons [Petrovsky B.V., Solovyov G.M., Shumakov V.I., 1966] excise the papillary muscles in order to increase the volume of the ventricular cavity. During mitral valve replacement operations for grade III stenosis, due to abrupt changes in the papillary muscles, the surgeon essentially excised the ventricular wall. Therefore, with the III degree of stenosis, excision of the papillary muscles should be performed only if there is a more or less preserved form.
    The study of the structure of each of the elements of the mitral valve separately revealed the presence of certain connections between them, which allows us to consider the issue of the design of the mitral valve, i.e., the method of combining its structural elements. An analysis of the materials obtained on the design of the valve gives grounds to distinguish 2 extreme forms of its structure, limiting the variation range of intermediate forms (Fig. 40). The first of them - the form of a simple design of the mitral valve - is observed with a narrow and long heart. With this form, there is a small circumference of the fibrous ring (6-9 cm), its branches are thin, more often 2-3 small valves and 1-3 small papillary muscles, from which 5-10 chords extend to the valves. The latter are almost not separated and are attached mainly along the free edge of the valves. The second form - a complex valve design - is noted on preparations of a wide and short heart. In these cases, there is a large circumference of the fibrous ring (12-15 cm) and its thick branches. 4-5 valves are attached to them, of which 2-3 are wide and long. A large number of valves corresponds to a significant number of papillary muscles (4-6), which are often multi-headed. Many tendon chords (20-30) start from them, which are divided into 2-3 branches, amounting to 50-70 threads.

    Rice. 40. Differences in the structure of the left atrioventricular valve, a - simple valve design: 2 papillary muscles, 2 cusps (arrows), smaller fleshy trabeculae; b - complex valve design: 7 papillary muscles, 7 cusps (arrows), tendon chords divide and form a complex relief; 1 - fleshy trabeculae; 2 - posterior papillary muscle; 3 - interventricular septum; 4, 7 - tendon chords; 5 - posterior cusp of the atrioventricular valve; 6 - front sash; 8 - anterior papillary muscle.

    They are attached to the free edge, the ventricular surface of the valves and to the annulus fibrosus. At the same time, from each papillary muscle, the tendon chords approach the corresponding leaflet and neighboring ones, forming a complex interweaving of threads.

    Topographic anatomical relationships of the mitral valve with surrounding formations

    When performing intracardiac surgical interventions, surgeons need to navigate in the cavities of the heart and, for this, have data on the topographic and anatomical relationship of the fibrous valve annulus with neighboring anatomical formations.
    In intracardiac operations, an examination of the cavity of the heart through the heart ears is used. Therefore, it is of practical importance to know the distance from the base of the left ear to the fibrous ring of the mitral valve. According to our data, the indicated distance in adults is from 1 to 3 cm (1-2 cm - in 82.4% of cases, 2.1-2.5 cm - in 14.2% and 2.6-3.0 cm -in 3.4%). In children under 3 years old - 0.3-1.1 cm (usually 0.6-0.8) and in 11-17 year olds - 1.2-1.7 cm (usually 1.2-1.4) . In older people, the considered distance usually increases by 1.1-2.5 cm. In women, the distance of the base of the left ear from the mitral valve is often 2-3 mm less than in men.
    Comparison of data on the length of the heart and the distance from the base of the ear to the mitral valve showed that these values ​​have a pronounced match: the longer the heart, the greater the distance from the ring to the ear.
    With mitral stenosis, the base of the left ear lies in relation to the fibrous ring somewhat further than normal: with degree I stenosis, it was 1.5-1.8 cm away from the ring, with II - 1.9-2.4 cm , with III - by 2.5-4 cm.
    Due to the fact that some surgeons access the mitral valve through the left or right [Mareev Yu. S., 1962] superior pulmonary vein, possible fluctuations in the position of these veins relative to the base of the mitral valve were determined. It turned out that in adults the mouth of the right pulmonary vein is located from the base of the mitral valve at a distance of 2 to 6 cm (2-3 cm in 12.8% of cases), 3.1-4.5 cm - 83.4%, 4, 6-6 cm - in 3.8%). In children under 3 years old, the mouth of the right pulmonary vein is removed from the valve by 1-3 cm (usually 1-2), in children 4-10 years old - by 2-2.3 cm (usually 2-2.5), 11 - 17 years - by 2.6-3.5 cm (usually 2.6-3).
    The mouth of the left inferior pulmonary vein is 1.5-5 cm away from the base of the valve (1.5-2.5 cm in 7.8% of cases, 2.6-4 cm in 86.4%, 4.1- 5 cm - in 5.8%). In children under 3 years old, it lies 1-2.5 cm above the ring (more often by 1-1.5), 4-10 years old - by 1-2.8 cm (more often by 1.5-2), 11- 17 years old - by 2-3 cm (more often by 2-2.5). With a greater length of the heart, a large distance of the mouths of the pulmonary veins from the mitral valve is noted.
    The distance of the mouth of the pulmonary veins from the annulus fibrosus increased in mitral stenosis. With stenosis of the I degree, the right lower pulmonary vein was 3-4 cm above the ring, with II - by 4.1-5 cm, with III - by 5-7.5 cm. The mouth of the left pulmonary vein with stenosis of I-II degree lies 3-5 cm above the ring, and with III - 5.1-6.6 cm above the fibrous ring.
    The distance from the tops of the papillary muscles to the base of the mitral valve depends on the length of the heart and is 1-2 cm (1-2 cm in 14% of cases, 2.1-3.5 cm in 74%, 3.6-5 cm in at 12%). In children, it was smaller - 0.5-3 cm. With stenosis of the valve, the tops of the papillary muscles approach the valve by 2.8-3 cm.
    When correcting mitral valve insufficiency, in some cases, a supporting semi-purse-string suture is applied to the base of the valve. This intervention requires knowledge of the projection of the coronary arteries on the area of ​​the annulus fibrosus. As our anatomical studies have shown, the projection of the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery on the anterior wall of the left atrium is determined 1-12 mm above the fibrous ring (1-3 mm - in 33.1% of cases, 4-9 mm - in 62.4%, 10-12 mm -4.5%). In children under 10 years old, the projection is 1-6 mm above the ring, in 11-17 years old - 4-8 mm (usually 5-6).
    With stenosis of the mitral valve, the projection of the envelope branch is shifted downward compared to the norm. With stenosis of the I degree, the artery is projected 8-9 mm above the fibrous ring, with II - by 7-8 mm and with III - by 1-6 mm (usually 1-3 mm). Thus, when fixing an artificial valve, as well as during commissurotomies, care should be taken not to go beyond the fibrous ring.
    The coronary sinus is projected onto the back wall of the heart. At the same time, its projection lies in adults 1-15 mm above the fibrous ring (1-3 mm - in 14.6% of cases, 4-9 mm - in 66.3% and 10-15 mm - in 19.1% ). In children under 3 years old, the projection line of the sinus passes 1-6 mm (usually 3-4) above the ring, in 4-10-year-olds - 4-8 m (more often 5-6), in 11-17-year-olds - by 5-10 mm (more often by 7-9). In all groups of the studied hearts, the projection of the sinus with a greater length of the heart is always higher, with stenosis of the mitral valve, the projection line of the coronary sinus of the heart approaches the fibrous ring and with stenosis of I degree it is 8-10 mm away from it, with II - by 6-9 mm, with III - by 2-5 mm.
    The left leg of the atrioventricular bundle of the conducting system of the heart is located quite close to the fibrous ring - at a distance of 0.3-1.5 cm. With a narrow heart, the distance from the left leg of the bundle to the fibrous ring is often 5-8 mm, and with a wide 12-15 mm. With mitral stenosis, the left leg of the bundle approaches the fibrous ring by 1-4 mm.
    Analysis of the histotopogram data on the tissues surrounding the annulus fibrosus shows that the thickness of the layers of the myocardium of the left atrium and ventricle around the annulus is different. The surface layer of the atrial myocardium is 2 to 3 mm thick, the deep layer is 1-2 mm.
    The surface layer of the myocardium of the left ventricle below the annulus fibrosus is 2-5 mm thick, the middle layer is 7-12 mm, and the deep layer is 1-3 mm. The largest number of branches of the coronary arteries and nerve conductors is located in the superficial layers of the atrium and ventricle, especially on the back wall.

    Right atrium,atrium dextrum, shaped like a cube, has a rather large additional cavity - right ear,auricula dextra. The right atrium is separated from the left interatrial septum,septum intertridle (Fig. 33). On the septum, an oval depression is clearly visible - an oval fossa, fossa o. vdlis, within which the septum is thinner. This fossa, which is the remnant of an overgrown foramen ovale, is limited the edge of the oval fossa,limbus fossae ovdlis. In the right atrium there are opening of the superior vena cava,ostium Venae cavae superioris, And opening of the inferior vena cava,ostium Venae cdvae inferioris. Along the lower edge of the latter stretches a small non-permanent lunate fold, called valve of the inferior vena cava (eustachian valve),valvula Venae cdvae inferioris; in the embryo directs blood flow from the right atrium to the left through the foramen ovale. Sometimes the valve of the inferior vena cava has a mesh structure - it consists of several tendon filaments connected to each other. Between the holes of the vena cava, a small intervenous tubercle(lover's tubercle), tuberculum intervenosum, which is considered the remainder of the valve that directs the blood flow from the superior vena cava into the right atrioventricular opening in the embryo. The expanded posterior portion of the cavity of the right atrium, which receives both vena cava, is called sinus of the vena cava,sinus venarum cavarum.

    On the inner surface of the right ear and the adjacent section of the anterior wall of the right atrium, longitudinal muscle ridges protruding into the atrial cavity are visible - comb muscles,mm. pectinati. At the top they end border ridge,crista terminalis, which separates the venous sinus from the cavity of the right atrium (in the embryo, there was a border between the common atrium and the venous sinus of the heart). The atrium communicates with the ventricle through ostium atrioventri- culare dextrum. Between the latter and the opening of the inferior vena cava is opening of the coronary sinus,ostium sinus coro­ narii. A thin sickle-shaped fold is visible at its mouth - coronary sinus valve(Tebezian damper), valvula sinus coronaria. Near the opening of the coronary sinus there are dot openings of the smallest veins of the heart,foramina venarum minimdrum, flowing into the right atrium on their own; their number may vary. Along the circumference of the coronary sinus, the pectinate muscles are absent.

    right ventricle,ventriculus dexter, located to the right and in front of the left ventricle, shaped like a trihedral pyramid with the apex facing down. Its slightly convex medial (left) wall is interventricular septum,septum interventriculdre, separating the right ventricle from the left. Most of the septum is muscular, pars mwsculdris, and the smaller one, located in the uppermost section closer to the atria, is membranous, pars membranacea.

    The lower wall of the ventricle, adjacent to the tendon center of the diaphragm, is flattened, and the anterior wall is convex anteriorly. In the upper, widest part of the ventricle, there are two openings: behind - right atrioventricular orifice,ostium atrioventriculdre dextrum, through which venous blood enters the ventricle from the right atrium, and in front - opening of the pulmonary trunk,ostium Trunci pulmonalis, through which blood is directed to the pulmonary trunk. The part of the ventricle from which the pulmonary trunk exits is called arterial cone (funnel),conus arteriosus (fundibulum). Small supraventricular ridge,crista supraventriculdris, delimits it from the inside from the rest of the right ventricle. The right atrioventricular orifice closes right atrioventricular(tricuspid) valve,vdlva atrio­ ventricularis dextra (vdlva tricuspiddlis) (Fig. 34), fixed on a dense connective tissue fibrous ring, the tissue of which continues into the valve leaflets. The latter resemble triangular tendon plates in appearance. Their bases are attached to the circumference of the atrioventricular orifice, and the free edges face the ventricular cavity. On the front semicircle of the hole, the front valve flap,cuspis anterior, on the posterolateral - back flap,cuspis posterior, and, finally, on the medial semicircle - the smallest of them - medial - partition wall,cuspis septalis. During atrial contraction, the valve leaflets are pressed by the blood flow against the walls of the ventricle and do not prevent its passage into the cavity of the latter. When the ventricles contract, the free edges of the valves close, but they do not turn into the atrium, since they are held from the side of the ventricle by stretching dense connective tissue cords - tendon chords,chordae ien- dinae. The inner surface of the right ventricle (with the exception of the arterial cone) is uneven; fleshy trabeculae,trabecu- lae cdrneae, and conical papillary muscles,mm. papilldres. From the top of each of these muscles - the anterior (largest) and posterior (mm. papilldres anterior et posterior) most (10-12) tendon chords begin; sometimes some of them originate from the fleshy trabeculae of the interventricular septum (the so-called septal papillary muscles). These chords are attached simultaneously to the free edges of two adjacent valves, as well as to their surfaces facing the ventricular cavity.

    Located directly at the beginning of the pulmonary trunk lapan of the pulmonary trunk,vdlva Trunci pulmonalis, consisting of three semi-lunar flaps located in a circle: front, left and right: valvula semilunaris anterior, valvula semilunaris dextra et valvula semilunaris sinistra. Their convex (lower) surface faces the cavity of the right ventricle, and the concave (upper) and free edge faces the lumen of the pulmonary trunk. The middle of the free edge of each of these valves is thickened due to the so-called semilunar valve knot, nodulus vdlvulae semi­ lunaris. These nodules contribute to a tighter closing of the semilunar valves when they are closed. Between the wall of the pulmonary trunk and each of the semilunar valves there is a small pocket - pulmonary sinus,sinus Trunci pulmondlis. When the muscles of the ventricle contract, the semilunar valves (valves) are pressed by the blood flow against the wall of the pulmonary trunk and do not prevent the passage of blood from the ventricle; during relaxation, when the pressure in the cavity of the ventricle drops, the return flow of blood fills the sinuses and opens the valves. Their edges close and do not let blood into the cavity of the right ventricle.

    left atrium,atrium sinistrum, which has an irregular cuboid shape, delimited from the right by a smooth interatrial septum. The oval fossa located on it is more clearly expressed from the side of the right atrium. There are 5 holes in the left atrium, four of them are located above and behind. This openings of the pulmonary veins,ostia vena- rum pulmondlium. The pulmonary veins are devoid of valves. Fifth, largest, opening of the left atrium - left atrioventricular orifice,ostium atrioventriculare sinistrum, communicating atrium with the same ventricle. The anterior wall of the atrium has a cone-shaped extension facing anteriorly - left ear,auricula sinistra. On the side of the cavity, the wall of the left atrium is smooth, since the comb muscles are located only in the atrial appendage.

    left ventricle,ventriculus sinister, cone-shaped, with the base turned upwards. In the upper, widest, section of the ventricle there are openings; behind and to the left is left atrioventricular orifice,ostium atrioventricu­ lare sinistrum, and to the right of it - aortic opening,ostium aortae. In the right there is left atrioventricular valve(mitral valve) vdlva atrioventriculdris sinistra (vdlva mitrd- lis), consisting of two wings of a triangular shape - the front leaf, ciispis anterior, which starts from the medial semicircle of the opening ^ (near the interventricular septum), and the posterior leaflet, cuspis posterior, smaller than the anterior, starting from the lateral-posterior semicircle of the opening.

    On the inner surface of the ventricle (especially in the apex) there are many large fleshy trabeculae and two papillary muscles: anterior,m. papillaris anterior, And back, i.e.papillaris posterior, with their thick tendinous cords attached to the leaflets of the atrioventricular valve. Before entering the aortic opening, the surface of the ventricle is smooth. aortic valve,vdlva aortae, located at the very beginning, consists of three semilunar valves: back, vdlvula semilundris posterior; right, vdlvula semilundris dextra, and left vdlvula semilundris sinistra. Between each valve and the wall of the aorta there is sinus,sinus aortae. The aortic valves are thicker, and the nodules of the semilunar valves, located in the middle of the free edges, are larger than in the pulmonary trunk.

    The structure of the wall of the heart. The wall of the heart consists of 3 layers: a thin inner layer - the endocardium, a thick muscle layer - the myocardium and a thin outer layer - the epicardium, which is a visceral sheet of the serous membrane of the heart - the pericardium (pericardial sac).

    endocardium,endocardium, lines the cavity of the heart from the inside, repeating their complex relief and covering the papillary muscles with their tendon chords. The atrioventricular valves, the aortic valve and the pulmonary valve, as well as the valves of the inferior vena cava and the coronary sinus, are formed by duplications of the endocardium, inside which connective tissue fibers are located.

    Middle layer of the heart wall myocardium,myocardium (Fig. 35), is formed by cardiac striated muscle tissue and consists of cardiac myocytes (cardiomyocytes), interconnected by a large number of jumpers (intercalary discs), with the help of which they are connected into muscle complexes or fibers that form a narrow-loop network. This narrow-looped muscle network ensures complete rhythmic contraction of the atria and ventricles. The thickness of the myocardium is the smallest in the atria, and the largest - in the left ventricle.

    The muscle fibers of the atria and ventricles begin from fibrous rings that completely separate the atrial myocardium from the ventricular myocardium. These fibrous rings, like a number of other connective tissue formations of the heart, are part of its soft skeleton. Skeleton.hearts include: interconnected right And left annulus,dnuli fibrosis dexter et sinister, which surround the right and left atrioventricular openings and constitute the support of the right and left atrioventricular valves (their projection from the outside corresponds to the coronary sulcus of the heart); right And left fibrous triangles,trigonum fibrosum dextrum et trigonum fibrosum sinistrum, - dense plates, which are adjacent to the posterior semicircle of the aorta on the right and left and are formed as a result of the fusion of the left fibrous ring with the connective tissue ring of the aortic opening. The right, most dense, fibrous triangle, which actually connects the left and right fibrous rings and the connective tissue ring of the aorta, is in turn connected to the membranous part of the interventricular septum. In the right fibrous triangle there is a small hole through which the fibers of the atrioventricular bundle of the conduction system of the heart pass.

    The atrial myocardium is separated by fibrous rings from the ventricular myocardium. The synchrony of myocardial contractions is provided by the conduction system of the heart, which is the same for the atria and ventricles. In the atria, the myocardium consists of two layers: superficial, common to both atria, and deep, separate for each of them. The first contains muscle fibers located transversely, and the second contains two types of muscle bundles - longitudinal, which originate from the fibrous rings, and circular, loop-like covering the mouths of the veins that flow into the atria, like constrictors. Longitudinally lying bundles of muscle fibers protrude in the form of vertical strands inside the cavities of the auricles of the atria and form the pectinate muscles.

    The myocardium of the ventricles consists of three different muscle layers: outer (superficial), middle and inner (deep). The outer layer is represented by muscle bundles of obliquely oriented fibers, which, starting from the fibrous rings, continue down to the top of the heart, where they form heart curl,vortex cordis, and pass into the inner (deep) layer of the myocardium, the fiber bundles of which are located longitudinally. Due to this layer, papillary muscles and fleshy trabeculae are formed. The outer and inner layers of the myocardium are common to both ventricles, and the middle layer located between them, formed by circular (circular) bundles of muscle fibers, is separate for each ventricle. The interventricular septum is formed in its greater part (its muscular part) by the myocardium and the endocardium covering it; the basis of the upper section of this septum (its membranous part) is a plate of fibrous tissue.

    Outer shell of the heart epicardium,epicdrdium, adjacent to the myocardium from the outside, is a visceral sheet of the serous pericardium, built according to the type of serous membranes and consists of a thin plate of connective tissue covered with mesothelium. The epicardium covers the heart, the initial sections of the ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk, the final sections of the caval and pulmonary veins. Through these vessels, the epicardium passes into the parietal plate of the serous pericardium.

    conduction system of the heart

    The regulation and coordination of the contractile function of the heart is carried out by its conducting system. These are atypical muscle fibers (cardiac conductive muscle fibers), consisting of cardiac conductive myocytes, richly innervated, with a small number of myofibrils and an abundance of sarcoplasm, which have the ability to conduct irritation from the nerves of the heart to the atrial and ventricular myocardium. The centers of the conduction system of the heart are two nodes: 1) sinoatrial node(Kiss-Fleck knot), node si­ nuatrialis, located in the wall of the right atrium between the opening of the superior vena cava and the right ear and giving branches to the atrial myocardium, and 2) atrioventricular node(Ashoff-Tavary node), node atrioventricularis, lying in the thickness of the lower part of the interatrial septum (Fig. 36). From top to bottom, this node passes into atrioventricular bundle(bundle of His), fasciculus atrioventriculdris, which connects the atrial myocardium with the ventricular myocardium. In the muscular part of the interventricular septum, this bundle is divided into the right and left legs, crus dextrum et crus sinist- rum. The terminal branches of the fibers (Purkinje fibers) of the conduction system of the heart, into which these legs break up, end in the myocardium of the ventricles.

    Pericardium (pericardium), pericardium (rice. 41), delimits the heart from neighboring organs, is a thin and at the same time dense, durable fibro-serous sac in which the heart is located. It consists of two layers having a different structure: outer - fibrous and inner - serous. outer layer - fibrous pericardium,pericardium fibrosum, near the large vessels of the heart (at its base) passes into their adventitia. serous pericardium,peri­ cardium serosum, has two plates - parietal, lamina parietalis, which lines the fibrous pericardium from the inside, and the visceral, lamina visceralls (epicdrdium), which covers the heart, being its outer shell - the epicardium. The parietal and visceral plates pass into each other in the region of the base of the heart, in the place where the fibrous pericardium is fused with the adventitia of large vessels: the aorta, pulmonary trunk, vena cava. Between the parietal plate of the serous pericardium on the outside and its visceral plate there is a slit-like space - pericardial cavity,cdvitas pericardidis, covering the heart from all sides and containing a small amount of serous fluid.

    The pericardium resembles an irregular cone in shape, the base of which is tightly (lower section) fused with the tendon center of the diaphragm, and at the top (at the top of the cone) it covers the initial sections of large vessels: the ascending aorta, the pulmonary trunk, as well as the superior and inferior vena cava and pulmonary veins. The pericardium is divided into three sections: front- sternocostal, which is connected to the posterior surface of the anterior chest wall by sterno-pericardial ligaments and, ligamenta sternopericardidca, occupies the area between the right and left mediastinal pleura; lower - diaphragmatic, fused with the tendon center of the diaphragm; me-diastinal department (right and left) - the most significant in length. From the lateral sides and in front, this section of the pericardium is tightly fused with the mediastinal pleura. On the left and right, between the pericardium and the pleura, the phrenic nerve and blood vessels pass. Behind the mediastinal pericardium is adjacent to the esophagus, thoracic aorta, unpaired and semi-unpaired veins, surrounded by loose connective tissue.

    In the cavity of the pericardium between it, the surface of the heart and large vessels, there are rather deep pockets - sinuses. First of all, this transverse sinus of the pericardium,sinus transver­ sus pericardii, located at the base of the heart. Anteriorly and superiorly, it is bounded by the initial section of the ascending aorta. And pulmonary trunk, and behind - the anterior surface of the right atrium and the superior vena cava. oblique sinus of the pericardium,sinus obliquus pericardii, located on the diaphragmatic surface of the heart, limited by the base of the left pulmonary veins on the left and the inferior vena cava on the right. The anterior wall of this sinus is formed by the posterior surface of the left atrium, the posterior by the pericardium.

    Vessels and nerves of the pericardium. Pericardial branches of the thoracic aorta, branches of the pericardiodiaphragmatic artery, and branches of the superior phrenic arteries participate in the blood supply of the pericardium. The pericardial veins accompanying the arteries of the same name flow into the brachiocephalic, unpaired and semi-unpaired veins. The lymphatic vessels of the pericardium are sent to the lateral pericardial, prepericardial, anterior and posterior mediastinal lymph nodes. The pericardial nerves are branches of the phrenic and vagus nerves, as well as the cervical And thoracic cardiac nerves extending from the corresponding nodes of the right and left sympathetic trunks.

    4. Parasympathetic part of the autonomic NS: central, peripheral.

    parasympathetic part, pars parasympathetic ( parasympa thetica ), The autonomic (vegetative) nervous system is subdivided into the head and sacral sections. To head office [ pars cranidlis] include autonomic nuclei and parasympathetic fibers of the oculomotor (III pair), facial (more precisely, intermediate, - VIII pair), glossopharyngeal (IX pair) and vagus (X pair) nerves, as well as the ciliary, pterygopalatine, submandibular, hyoid and ear nodes and their branches. sacral department [ pars pelvica] parasympathetic part is represented sacral parasympathetic nuclei,nuclei parasympathetics sacrales, II, III and IV sacral segments of the spinal cord, splanchnic pelvic nerves, pp.splanchnici pelvini, And parasympathetic pelvic nodes,ganglia pelvina, with their branches.

    1. Parasympathetic part of the oculomotor nerve presented additional(parasympathetic) core,nucl. oculo- motorius accessorius, the so-called Yakubovich's nucleus, the ciliary node and processes of cells located in this nucleus and node. The axons of the cells of the accessory nucleus of the oculomotor nerve, which lies in the tegmentum of the midbrain, pass through the third pair of cranial nerves in the form of preganglionic fibers.

    2. Parasympathetic part of the facial nerve consists of the upper and salivary nuclei, pterygopalatine, submandibular and sublingual vegetative nodes. The axons of the cells of the superior salivary nucleus, which lies in the tire of the bridge, pass as part of the facial (intermediate) nerve in the canal of the same name.

    3. Parasympathetic part of the glossopharyngeal nerve formed by the lower salivary nucleus, the ear node and the processes of the cells lying in them. The axons of the cells of the lower salivary nucleus, located in the medulla oblongata, as part of the glossopharyngeal nerve, exit the cranial cavity through the jugular foramen.

    4. Parasympathetic part of the vagus nerve consists of the posterior (parasympathetic) nucleus of the vagus nerve, numerous nodes that are part of the organ autonomic plexuses and processes of cells located in the nucleus and these nodes. The axons of the cells of the posterior nucleus of the vagus nerve, located in the medulla oblongata, go as part of the branches of the vagus nerve. They reach parasympathetic nodes,gang­ lia parasympathetic, periorganic and intraorganic vegetative plexuses.

    5. The sacral division of the parasympathetic part of the autonomic (vegetative) nervous system is represented by sacral parasympathetic nuclei,nuclei parasympathetia sac- rales, located in the lateral intermediate substance of 11 sacral segments of the spinal cord, pelvic (parasympathetic) nodes,ganglia pelvina, and processes of the cells lying in them. The axons of the cells of the sacral parasympathetic nuclei exit the spinal cord as part of the anterior roots, then go as part of the anterior branches of the sacral spinal nerves, and after they exit through the pelvic sacral openings, branch off, form pelvic splanchnic nerves, pp.spldnchnici pelvini.

    Ticket number 22

    1. Muscles of the girdle of the upper limb.

    The structure of the flap valve

    Posterior interventricular sulcus.

    The interventricular sulci run from the coronary sulcus towards the apex of the heart along the anterior and posterior surfaces, respectively, and correspond to the interventricular septum of the heart. In the furrows are the own vessels and nerves of the heart. This sulci correspond to partitions dividing the heart into 4 sections: longitudinal interatrial and interventricular septa divide the organ into two isolated halves - right and left heart, transverse septum divides each of these halves the upper chamber is the atrium and the lower chamber is the ventricle.

    The right side of the heart contains venous blood, and the left arterial.

    The structure of the chambers of the heart.

    Right atrium is a cavity with a volume of 100-185 ml, resembling a cube in shape, located at the base of the heart on the right and behind the aorta and pulmonary trunk. Separates from the left atrium atrial septum on which is visible oval fossa, which is a remnant of an overgrown hole that existed between the two atria in embryogenesis.

    The superior and inferior vena cava, the coronary sinus and the smallest veins of the heart flow into the right atrium. The upper part of the atrium is atrial appendage , on the inner surface of which longitudinal muscle ridges are visible - comb muscles.

    The right atrium communicates with the right ventricle through the right atrioventricular orifice.

    Between the latter and the confluence of the inferior vena cava is the opening of the coronary sinus, and next to it are the point mouths of the smallest veins of the heart.

    Right ventricle . It has the shape of a pyramid with the top facing down. Occupies most of the anterior surface of the heart. Separates it from the left ventricle interventricular septum, most of which is muscular, and the smaller one, located at the very top, closer to the atria, is membranous. Top wall two holes:

    1. behind - right atrioventricular

    2. in front - opening of the pulmonary trunk.

    The atrioventricular orifice is closed by the right atrioventricular valve (tricuspid valve),

    1. sashes - there are three of them - anterior, posterior, medial, which are triangular tendon plates.

    2. Tendon chords (thread)

    During ventricular systole, the tricuspid valve closes, and the tension of the tendon chords prevents the leaflets from eversion towards the atrium.

    Between the ventricle and the pulmonary trunk there is also a valve called crescent.

    The semilunar valve is made up of

    Front, left and right

    Semilunar dampers,

    Arranged in a circle, convex

    Surface into the cavity of the right

    The ventricle rather concave and free

    Edge - into the lumen of the pulmonary trunk.

    When the muscles of the ventricle contract, the semilunar valves are pressed against the wall of the pulmonary trunk by blood flow and do not prevent the passage of blood from the ventricle; during relaxation, when the pressure in the cavity of the ventricle drops, the return flow of blood fills the pockets between the wall of the pulmonary trunk and each of the semilunar valves and opens the valves, their edges close and do not allow blood to pass to the heart.

    Left atrium . It has the shape of an irregular cube. Delimited from the right interatrial septum; also has a left ear. In the posterior section of the upper wall, four pulmonary veins open into it, devoid of valves, through which arterial blood flows from the lungs. It communicates with the left ventricle through the left atrioventricular orifice, only near which there are pectinate muscles, the rest of the surface is smooth.

    left ventricle . Cone-shaped, its base is turned upwards. In the anterior upper section there is an opening of the aorta, through which the ventricle communicates with the aorta, and the left atrioventricular opening. At the exit of the aorta from the left ventricle, there is an aortic valve - the semilunar valve - consisting of right, left, back flaps. The aortic valves are thicker than those in the pulmonary trunk.

    The left atrioventricular orifice is closed by the cuspid valve, which consists of two cusps (anterior and posterior) and is therefore also called mitral , tendon chords and two papillary muscles.

    In order to diagnose cardiac diseases, a stethoscope is used auscultation (listening) heart: in this case, the mitral valve is auscultated in the region of the apex of the heart, the valves of the pulmonary trunk and aorta - in the second intercostal space, respectively, at the right and left edges of the sternum. The place of auscultation (listening) of the tricuspid valve is the point located at the base of the xiphoid process of the sternum.

    STRUCTURE OF THE HEART WALL.

    The wall of the heart consists of three layers: the inner - the endocardium,

    Middle - myocardium, the thickest,

    Outer - epicardium.

    1. Endocardium - lines all the cavities of the heart, tightly fused with the underlying muscle layer. From the side of the cavities of the heart is lined with endothelium. The endocardium forms the cusp and semilunar valves.

    2. Myocardium is the most powerful and thick wall of the heart. The muscular layer of the walls of the atria is thin due to a small load. Comprises surface layer, common to both atria, and deep- separate for each of them. In the walls of the ventricles, it is the most significant in thickness and consists of three layers: the outer one is longitudinal, the middle one is annular, and the inner longitudinal layers. The muscular layer of the left ventricle is more powerful than the right one.

    The composition of the cardiac striated muscle tissue includes typical contractile muscle cells-cardiomyocytes and atypical - cardiac myocytes, which form the conduction system of the heart, which ensures the automaticity of heart contractions, and also coordinates the contractile function of the myocardium of the atria and ventricles of the heart.

    3. epicardium - covers the outer surface of the heart and the parts of the aorta and pulmonary trunk closest to the heart, vena cava. It is part of the fibrous-serous membrane of the pericardium. In the pericardium there are two layers:

    fibrous pericardium, formed by dense fibrous connective tissue, and

    serous pericardium, also consisting of fibrous tissue with elastic fibers.

    The serous pericardium consists of an internal visceral plate (epicardium), which directly covers the heart and is tightly connected with it, and an external parietal plate, lining the fibrous pericardium from the inside and passing into the epicardium at the place where large vessels leave the heart.

    Fibrous pericardium at the base of the heart passes into the adventitia of large vessels; pleural sacs are adjacent to the pericardium on the side, from below it adheres to the tendon center of the diaphragm, and in front it is connected by connective tissue fibers to the sternum.

    The pericardium isolates the heart from surrounding organs, and the serous fluid between its plates reduces friction during heart contractions.

    The structure of the flap valve

    Posterior interventricular sulcus.

    The interventricular sulci run from the coronary sulcus towards the apex of the heart along the anterior and posterior surfaces, respectively, and correspond to the interventricular septum of the heart. In the furrows are the own vessels and nerves of the heart. This sulci correspond to partitions dividing the heart into 4 sections: longitudinal interatrial and interventricular septa divide the organ into two isolated halves - right and left heart, transverse septum divides each of these halves the upper chamber is the atrium and the lower chamber is the ventricle.

    The right side of the heart contains venous blood, and the left arterial.

    The structure of the chambers of the heart.

    Right atrium is a cavity with a volume of 100-185 ml, resembling a cube in shape, located at the base of the heart on the right and behind the aorta and pulmonary trunk. Separates from the left atrium atrial septum on which is visible oval fossa, which is a remnant of an overgrown hole that existed between the two atria in embryogenesis.

    The superior and inferior vena cava, the coronary sinus and the smallest veins of the heart flow into the right atrium. The upper part of the atrium is atrial appendage , on the inner surface of which longitudinal muscle ridges are visible - comb muscles.

    The right atrium communicates with the right ventricle through the right atrioventricular orifice.

    Between the latter and the confluence of the inferior vena cava is the opening of the coronary sinus, and next to it are the point mouths of the smallest veins of the heart.

    Right ventricle . It has the shape of a pyramid with the top facing down. Occupies most of the anterior surface of the heart. Separates it from the left ventricle interventricular septum, most of which is muscular, and the smaller one, located at the very top, closer to the atria, is membranous. Top wall two holes:

    1. behind - right atrioventricular

    2. in front - opening of the pulmonary trunk.

    The atrioventricular orifice is closed by the right atrioventricular valve (tricuspid valve),

    1. sashes - there are three of them - anterior, posterior, medial, which are triangular tendon plates.

    2. Tendon chords (thread)

    During ventricular systole, the tricuspid valve closes, and the tension of the tendon chords prevents the leaflets from eversion towards the atrium.

    Between the ventricle and the pulmonary trunk there is also a valve called crescent.

    The semilunar valve is made up of

    Front, left and right

    Semilunar dampers,

    Arranged in a circle, convex

    Surface into the cavity of the right

    The ventricle rather concave and free

    Edge - into the lumen of the pulmonary trunk.

    When the muscles of the ventricle contract, the semilunar valves are pressed against the wall of the pulmonary trunk by blood flow and do not prevent the passage of blood from the ventricle; during relaxation, when the pressure in the cavity of the ventricle drops, the return flow of blood fills the pockets between the wall of the pulmonary trunk and each of the semilunar valves and opens the valves, their edges close and do not allow blood to pass to the heart.

    Left atrium . It has the shape of an irregular cube. Delimited from the right interatrial septum; also has a left ear. In the posterior section of the upper wall, four pulmonary veins open into it, devoid of valves, through which arterial blood flows from the lungs. It communicates with the left ventricle through the left atrioventricular orifice, only near which there are pectinate muscles, the rest of the surface is smooth.

    left ventricle . Cone-shaped, its base is turned upwards. In the anterior upper section there is an opening of the aorta, through which the ventricle communicates with the aorta, and the left atrioventricular opening. At the exit of the aorta from the left ventricle, there is an aortic valve - the semilunar valve - consisting of right, left, back flaps. The aortic valves are thicker than those in the pulmonary trunk.

    The left atrioventricular orifice is closed by the cuspid valve, which consists of two cusps (anterior and posterior) and is therefore also called mitral , tendon chords and two papillary muscles.

    In order to diagnose cardiac diseases, a stethoscope is used auscultation (listening) heart: in this case, the mitral valve is auscultated in the region of the apex of the heart, the valves of the pulmonary trunk and aorta - in the second intercostal space, respectively, at the right and left edges of the sternum. The place of auscultation (listening) of the tricuspid valve is the point located at the base of the xiphoid process of the sternum.

    STRUCTURE OF THE HEART WALL.

    The wall of the heart consists of three layers: the inner - the endocardium,

    Middle - myocardium, the thickest,

    Outer - epicardium.

    1. Endocardium - lines all the cavities of the heart, tightly fused with the underlying muscle layer. From the side of the cavities of the heart is lined with endothelium. The endocardium forms the cusp and semilunar valves.

    2. Myocardium is the most powerful and thick wall of the heart. The muscular layer of the walls of the atria is thin due to a small load. Comprises surface layer, common to both atria, and deep- separate for each of them. In the walls of the ventricles, it is the most significant in thickness and consists of three layers: the outer one is longitudinal, the middle one is annular, and the inner longitudinal layers. The muscular layer of the left ventricle is more powerful than the right one.

    The composition of the cardiac striated muscle tissue includes typical contractile muscle cells-cardiomyocytes and atypical - cardiac myocytes, which form the conduction system of the heart, which ensures the automaticity of heart contractions, and also coordinates the contractile function of the myocardium of the atria and ventricles of the heart.

    3. epicardium - covers the outer surface of the heart and the parts of the aorta and pulmonary trunk closest to the heart, vena cava. It is part of the fibrous-serous membrane of the pericardium. In the pericardium there are two layers:

    fibrous pericardium, formed by dense fibrous connective tissue, and

    serous pericardium, also consisting of fibrous tissue with elastic fibers.

    The serous pericardium consists of an internal visceral plate (epicardium), which directly covers the heart and is tightly connected with it, and an external parietal plate, lining the fibrous pericardium from the inside and passing into the epicardium at the place where large vessels leave the heart.

    Fibrous pericardium at the base of the heart passes into the adventitia of large vessels; pleural sacs are adjacent to the pericardium on the side, from below it adheres to the tendon center of the diaphragm, and in front it is connected by connective tissue fibers to the sternum.

    The pericardium isolates the heart from surrounding organs, and the serous fluid between its plates reduces friction during heart contractions.