Basic cardiovascular anatomy

Abstract

Comprehensive knowledge of the basic anatomy of the heart and great vessels is critical in understanding the pathological conditions of patients who come to surgery. Through this knowledge, the proposed surgical procedure can be more clearly understood. The cardiac anesthesia provider must correlate surgical anatomy with the planned surgical procedures. With this understanding, results of the intraoperative transesophageal echocardiographic examination will be more readily communicated with the surgeon. The principal components of the cardiovascular system include the heart, autonomic innervation, great vessels, and coronary circulation. This chapter will focus on the surgical anatomy of the heart and great vessels, with a brief presentation of these topics: Position of the heart in the thorax The pericardium Chambers of the heart Valves of the heart Vascular supply of the heart Anatomy of great vessels.