In: Anatomy and Physiology
1. Describe the coverings of the heart and the layers of the heart wall. Which membrane is
both a covering and part of the heart wall?
2. What causes the first and second heart sounds?
Answer
1) Coverings and layers of the heart wall
Pericardium is the outer covering of the heart.
There are two type of pericardium :
a) Fibrous pericardium : The outermost covering
of heart is fibrous pericardium that protects the heart and it also
helps in keeping the heart in position.
b) Serous pericardium : It further consist of two layers : Parietal and Visceral
Layers of heart wall
a) Epicardium : Visceral pericardium is also
known as epicardium. It is outer layer of heart wall.
b) Myocardium : It is the middle layer of heart
wall consist cardiac muscle tissue responsible for contraction of
the heart.
c) Endocardium : It is the innermost layer of the heart wall. It protects heart valves and chambers of the heart.
The membrane that is both a covering and part of the heart wall is : Visceral pericardium / Epicardium
2) Heart sounds
First heart sound (S1) : It occurs due to turbulence created by closure of atrioventricular valves (mitral and tricuspid). It is also called "Lubb" sound.
Second heart sound (S2) : It occurs due to
turbulence created by closure of semilunar valves (aortic and
pulmonary). It is also called "Dubb" sound.