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Equine Cardiovascular System - Horse Anatomy (view source)
Revision as of 22:05, 18 November 2012
, 22:05, 18 November 2012no edit summary
==Pericardium==
==Pericardium==
The pericardium is the membrane that surrounds and protects the heart. It is composed of two layers separated by a narrow cavity. The inner layer is firmly attached to the heart wall and is known as the visceral layer or epicardium. The outer layer is composed of relatively inelastic connective tissue and is termed the parietal layer. This fibrous layer prevents distension of the heart, thus preventing excessive stretching of the heart muscle fibres. The cavity between the two layers contains a small volume of fluid which serves as a lubricant, facilitating the movement of the heart by minimising friction. The '''sternopericardiac ligament''' connects the parietal layer to the sternum.
The pericardium is the membrane that surrounds and protects the heart. It is composed of two layers separated by a narrow cavity. The inner layer is firmly attached to the heart wall and is known as the visceral layer or epicardium. The outer layer is composed of relatively inelastic connective tissue and is termed the parietal layer. This fibrous layer prevents distension of the heart, thus preventing excessive stretching of the heart muscle fibres. The cavity between the two layers contains a small volume of fluid which serves as a lubricant, facilitating the movement of the heart by minimising friction. The '''sternopericardiac ligament''' connects the parietal layer to the sternum.
==Great Vessels==
==Great Vessels==
The '''left coronary artery''' splits into '''circumflex and interventricular branches'''. The '''right coronary artery''' runs in the coronary groove, before sending an '''interventricular branch''' down the submucosal interventricular groove. A large cardiac cartilage is present next to the origin of the aorta, a smaller accessory cartilage is sometimes present. The '''brachiocephalic trunk''' branches from the aortic arch, near the heart base. This subsequently gives rise to the '''right subclavian artery''', '''bicarotid trunk''' (gives rise to the right and left '''common carotid arteries''') and the '''left subclavian artery'''. The subclavian arteries give rise to the '''costocervical trunk''', subsequent branches of the subclavian are the '''deep cervical and vertebral arteries'''' and the '''internal thoracic artery'''. Veins run satellite to the arteries.