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Ch. 20 The Heart
Martini - Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology 12th Edition
Martini, Nath, Bartholomew12th EditionFundamentals of Anatomy and PhysiologyISBN: 9780137854011Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksMartini, Nath, Bartholomew 12th EditionCh. 20 The HeartProblem 5
Chapter 20, Problem 5

The heart is surrounded by the:
(a) Pleural cavity
(b) Peritoneal cavity
(c) Abdominopelvic cavity
(d) Mediastinum
(e) Abdominal cavity

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the anatomical location of the heart within the thoracic cavity. The heart is located centrally in the chest, between the lungs.
Step 2: Identify the specific space or compartment that contains the heart. The heart is enclosed within a region called the mediastinum, which is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity.
Step 3: Differentiate the mediastinum from other cavities listed: the pleural cavity surrounds the lungs, the peritoneal cavity is within the abdomen, the abdominopelvic cavity includes the abdominal and pelvic regions, and the abdominal cavity is part of the abdominopelvic cavity.
Step 4: Recognize that the mediastinum contains the heart, thymus, parts of the esophagus and trachea, and major blood vessels, making it the correct answer for the cavity surrounding the heart.
Step 5: Conclude that the heart is surrounded by the mediastinum, which is distinct from the pleural, peritoneal, abdominopelvic, and abdominal cavities.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Mediastinum

The mediastinum is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity, located between the lungs. It contains the heart, trachea, esophagus, and major blood vessels, providing a protective space for these vital structures.
Recommended video:
Guided course
2:51
Organization of the Thoracic Cavity

Pleural Cavity

The pleural cavity is the potential space between the two layers of pleura surrounding each lung. It contains a small amount of lubricating fluid but does not enclose the heart.
Recommended video:
Guided course
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Pressure in the Lungs and Pleural Cavity Example 2

Peritoneal and Abdominopelvic Cavities

The peritoneal cavity is the space within the abdomen that houses abdominal organs, lined by the peritoneum. The abdominopelvic cavity includes both the abdominal and pelvic cavities, neither of which contain the heart.
Recommended video:
Guided course
5:46
Organization of the Abdominopelvic Cavity
Related Practice
Textbook Question

The simple squamous epithelium covering the heart valves is the:

(a) Epicardium

(b) Endocardium

(c) Myocardium

(d) Endothelium

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Textbook Question

The serous membrane covering the outer surface of the heart is the:

(a) Parietal layer of the serous pericardium

(b) Endocardium

(c) Myocardium

(d) Visceral layer of the serous pericardium

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Textbook Question

The autonomic centers for cardiac function are located in:

(a) The myocardial tissue of the heart

(b) The cardiac centers of the medulla oblongata

(c) The cerebral cortex

(d) All of these structures

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Textbook Question

Identify the superficial structures in the following diagram of the heart.

a. ___

b. ___

c. ___

d. ___

e. ___

f. ___

g. ___

h. ___

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Textbook Question

Cardiac output is equal to the:

(a) Difference between the end-diastolic volume and the end-systolic volume

(b) Product of heart rate and stroke volume

(c) Difference between the stroke volume at rest and the stroke volume during exercise

(d) Stroke volume less the end-systolic volume

(e) Product of heart rate and blood pressure

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Textbook Question

The cardiac skeleton of the heart has which two of the following functions?

(a) It physically isolates the muscle fibers of the atria from those of the ventricles.

(b) It maintains the normal shape of the heart.

(c) It helps distribute the forces of cardiac contraction.

(d) It allows more rapid contraction of the ventricles.

(e) It strengthens and helps prevent overexpansion of the heart.

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