University of Khartoum

Faculty of Medicine

Department of Anatomy

Dissection Room (DR) Practical Module and Study Guide

Edited by:
Dr.Abdelmoneim Adam Abbaker
MBBS,MSc.(Anatomy),MD

Updated by:
Dr.Kamal Dahab
MBBS, M.Sc (Human Morphology) candidate (UofK)

February 2020
UNIVERSITY OF KHARTOUM ‫جامعة الخرطوم‬
FACULTY OF MEDICINE ‫كلية الطب‬
DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY ‫قسم التشريح‬
0155662029 5222661510
 P.O. Box 102 251 ‫ ص ب‬
E-mail.: anatomy.medicine@uofk.edu

About the DR module; a note to students

 This practical book is designed to help you get the maximum benefit out of your Gross Anatomy
practical sessions. It is intended to facilitate your study of the prosected cadavers and other
specimens/materials inside the dissection room, and also to act as a useful self-study guide to
orientate you about the essential knowledge you need to obtain regarding the studied regions
BEFORE you come to the DR.

 The study of Human Gross Anatomy is covered over the period of three semesters (academic
semesters 2-4): The first semester presents you to the anatomical terminology, offers an introduction
to regional anatomy, and covers the study of the Thoracic and Abdominal regions. The second
semester deals with the study of the Pelvis, Perineum, and the Lower and Upper Limbs. And lastly
the third semester covers the study of the Head and Neck regions.

 Usually, each DR session includes 4 practical stations (+ 1 clinical station); and the content of each
station is provided to you beforehand in this book. It is the responsibility of the student to study the
region properly before its session, work out the structures and illustrations with his/her group, and
participate in group-discussions facilitated by the tutors to ascertain the achievement of the specified
learning objectives.

 It is necessary that you handle the cadaveric specimens with care and respect, collaborate with your
colleagues in the group to help each other learn, and stick to the time allowed for each station. And
you should be wearing your white coat for the entire session.

 Students are allowed to bring into the DR whatever study resources they wish to refer to during the
session; whether that be textbooks, atlases, or software materials on tablets or PC's; However, under
no circumstances are these study aids to be used for chats or pleasure, and no phones are allowed
(Those are to be shutdown before the start of the session). Also, students are responsible of watching over
their valuables inside the DR at all times.
 Assessment of your practical anatomy skills is currently done by OSPE (objectively-structured
practical exam), and you will have some drills at the end of the DR to accustom you to the test.
Should any problems arise regarding the clarity/availability of DR materials or absence of tutors, they
should be reported by group/class representatives to the department without delay.

February 2020
UNIVERSITY OF KHARTOUM ‫جامعة الخرطوم‬
FACULTY OF MEDICINE ‫كلية الطب‬
DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY ‫قسم التشريح‬
0155662029 5222661510
 P.O. Box 102 251 ‫ ص ب‬
E-mail.: anatomy.medicine@uofk.edu

Semester 2: Thorax

Introduction

Part (1)
Instructions:
Only when you completed the practical task should you put a tick in the box next to it. When you have ticked the box
a staff supervisor can question you about it and expect a correct answer.

Anatomical terms:

 Anatomical position: the person standing erect, upper limbs by the sides & face &palms of the hands directed
forwards. { }
 Median sagittal plane: a vertical plane passing through the centre of the body. . { }
 Paramedian plane: parallel to the median plane. { }
 Medil: structure situated nearer to the median plane. { }
 Lateral: structure situated away from the median plane. { }
 Coronal planes: imaginary vertical planes at right angle to the median plane. { }
 Horizontal or transverse planes are at right angles to both median &coronal planes. { }
 Anterior (VENTRAL): front of the body.
 Posterior (DORSAL): back of the body.
 Palmar & dorsal surfaces: anterior &posterior surfaces of the hand. { }
 Plantar & dorsal surfaces: anterior & posterior surfaces of foot. { }
 Proximal & distal: relative distances from the roots of the limbs. { }
 Superficial & deep: relative distance of the structure from the surface of the body. { }

 Superior & inferior: levels relatively high or low with reference to the upper & lower ends of the body
 Internal & external: relative distance of a structure from the centre of an organ or a cavity. { }
 Ipsilateral: on the same side of the body { }

February 2020
UNIVERSITY OF KHARTOUM ‫جامعة الخرطوم‬
FACULTY OF MEDICINE ‫كلية الطب‬
DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY ‫قسم التشريح‬
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 P.O. Box 102 251 ‫ ص ب‬
E-mail.: anatomy.medicine@uofk.edu

 Contralateral: on the opposite side of the body. { }

 Supine position: body lying on the back. { }
 Prone position: lying face down.

Terms related to movement

 Joint: is a site where two or more bones come together. { }

 Flexion & extension: movement takes place in a sagittal plane anteriorly or posteriorly. { }
 Abduction: a limb moves away from the midline of the body. { }
 Adduction: a limb moves towards the body. { }
 Medial rotation: movement results in the anterior surface of the part facing medially. { }
 Lateral rotation: movement results in the anterior surface of the part facing laterally. { }
 Pronation of the forearm: is a medial rotation of the forearm in such a manner that the palm of the hand faces
posteriorly. { }
 Supination of the forearm: is a lateral rotation of the forearnm from the pronated position so that the palm of the
hand faces anteriorly. { }
 Circumduction: combination of flexion, abduction, extension & adduction. { }
 Protraction: to move forward. { }
 Retraction: to move backward. { }
 Inversion: movement of the foot so that the sole faces in a medial direction. { }
 Evertion: the sole faces in a lateral direction. { }

Part (2): Basic structures

STATION (1)
*Identify the skin specimen. Satisfy yourself that it is made up of two layers: a thin usually dark layer, epidermis & a
thicker white layer the dermis { }
*Compare the different types of skin specimens:
# General body skin thick on extensor surfaces & thin on flexor ones { }
# palmar & plantar skins are thick & hairless { }
# Scalp & groin skins are thick & hairy { }
#eyelids & lips are thin & hairless { }
*identify tension lines on your skin & the specimen if possible by wrinkling part of the skin between thumb &other
fingers in many directions till it makes the deeper furrows , these are in the direction of the tension lines due to the
pattern of the arrangement of dermal collagen. { }

*Identify the subcutaneous tissues under the skin, it is absent in some places, where? { }
*Identify the deep fascia, it is thin& tough, absent in some places, where? { }

February 2020
UNIVERSITY OF KHARTOUM ‫جامعة الخرطوم‬
FACULTY OF MEDICINE ‫كلية الطب‬
DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY ‫قسم التشريح‬
0155662029 5222661510
 P.O. Box 102 251 ‫ ص ب‬
E-mail.: anatomy.medicine@uofk.edu

STATION (2)
*Examine the skeletal muscle & note the belly and the tendon .feel their consistency. { }
*Identify the arrangement of the muscle fibers: unipennate, bipennate & multipennate. { }
*Identify the different types of parallel muscle fibes:
central belly, digastric, strap, flat, flat with a raphe, rhomboid & triangular { }

STATION (3)
*Identify an artery & feel its consistency, empty, recoil, usually pink { }
*Identify a vein& feel its consistency, empty, thin wall, no recoil& dark usually contains clots { }
*Feel a peripheral nerve & compare it to the artery and vein. { }

STATION (4)

Compare the different type of bones (according to the shape)

#tubular (long &short): note the epiphysis, metaphysic & diaphysis. { }

#flat bone { }
#irregular bone { }
#sesamoid bone { }

STATION (5)
*Note the fibrous tissue between the bones in a fibrous joint. Check the mobility. { }
*Examine the primary cartilaginous joint & check the mobility. { }
*Examine the secondary cartilaginous joint &note the fibrocartilage plate. { }
*Examine a synovial joint, the smooth articular surface & the capsule. { }

February 2020
UNIVERSITY OF KHARTOUM ‫جامعة الخرطوم‬
FACULTY OF MEDICINE ‫كلية الطب‬
DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY ‫قسم التشريح‬
0155662029 5222661510
 P.O. Box 102 251 ‫ ص ب‬
E-mail.: anatomy.medicine@uofk.edu

Thorax: Practical (1)

STATION (1): STERNUM

Pick the bone and examine it. It is a flat bone with three parts: manubrium sterni ( ), body of sternum ( ), and
xiphoid process ( ). The junction between the manubrium and body forms a ridge or an angle called the sternal
angle of Lewis ( ) that is easily palpable percutaneously and constitutes the most important landmark in thoracic
anatomy. The angle points anteriorly thus helping differentiate the subcutanoeous surface (anterior) of the bone ( )
from the mediastinal surface (posterior) ( ). The manubrium bears a depression superiorly in the midline known as
the jugular notch (also the suprasternal notch) ( ). The manubrium has all together five articular facets on its lateral
and inferior borders as follows: two large superolateral facets for the sternoclavicular joints ( ), two smaller facets
located under these on the lateral borders for the first costal cartilages ( ), the last facet is for the secondary
cartilagenous joint it makes with the body of sternum. The sternum as a whole has seven facets on each side for the
first seven costal cartilages – the first were just mentioned. The second costal cartilage articulates with the sternum at
the angle of lewis ( ), the third –sixth articulate with the body ( ), while the seventh articulates with the xiphisternal
junction.

STATION (2): TYPICAL & ATYPICAL RIBS

A rib is a curved flat bone.
Typical rib is one with the following features: head ( ) situated posteriorly when the rib is held in the anatomical
position having two hemifacets( ), followed by a neck ( ), then comes a tubercle ( ) with an articular facet ( ) and
a rough nonarticular area ( ). After that is the shaft of the rib which is flat with an outer and inner surfaces ( ).
Where the shaft bends sharply forwards is the angle of the rib( ). The shaft is grooved inferiorly by the costal groove
( ) which helps to tell the lower border from the upper one ( ). The shaft ends anteriorly in a flat end that articulates
with the costal cartilage. These features are found in ribs 2-9.
Atypical rib:
A rib is termed atypical when one or more of the above features are missing or a new feature is present. The atypical
ribs are 1,10,11,12.
 Pick up the first rib and study it. It is a flat rib with an upper and lower surfaces ( ) and an inner and outer
borders ( ). It looks like a “C” ( ). It has the usual head, neck, tubercle and shaft ( ). Its head however has a
single articular facet ( ). There is no obvious angle ( ), however there is a faint costal groove inferiorly ( ).
On its upper surface there is the scalene tubercle ( ) which has a subclavian groove anterior and posterior
to it ( ).
 Rib 10 has a single articular facet on its head instead of the usual two ( ) otherwise it is typical in the rest of
the features.
 Ribs 11 and 12 are generally small and slender. They have heads, necks and shafts that lack angles and
tubercles ( ).
 Rib 12 has no costal groove ( ). There are no facets on the tubercles ( ).

February 2020
UNIVERSITY OF KHARTOUM ‫جامعة الخرطوم‬
FACULTY OF MEDICINE ‫كلية الطب‬
DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY ‫قسم التشريح‬
0155662029 5222661510
 P.O. Box 102 251 ‫ ص ب‬
E-mail.: anatomy.medicine@uofk.edu

STATION (3): TYPICAL & ATYPICAL THORACIC VERTEBRA

Typical thoracic vertebra has a moderately sized, heart shaped body when seen from above ( ). To the posterior
aspect of the body close to the upper surface are attached its two rounded pedicles ( ).

The two flat laminae ( ) are attached to these pedicles and they meet in the midline posteriorly. These four structures
together with the body of the vertebra encircle the vertebral foramen( ). From the junction of the two laminae
projects a long pointed spine ( ) backwards and downwards in such a way that it overlaps the vertebra below, check
this by putting two vertebrae over each other ( ).the transverse processes point laterally from the junction of the
pedicles with the laminae ( ) and these have articular facets for the transverse processes of the corresponding rib ( ).

From the same region spring the superior and inferior articular processes ( ) that have their articular surfaces facing
either backwards and slightly laterally ( ) or forwards and slightly medially ( ) such that when the vertebrae are
articulated some rotation can take place( ). The body has a large incomplete facet for its own rib ( ) and a smaller
incomplete facet for the rib below ( ).

Atypical thoracic vertebrae are the 1st, 10th , 11th & 12th , can you guess what could be the reasons ?
 The first vertebra has a complete facet for rib one and a demifacet for rib two ( ). Its pedicle is notched both
superiorly -by the eighth cervical spinal nerve and inferiorly ( ) by the first thoracic spinal nerve.
 Vertebrae 10, 11 and 12 have only complete facets for their corresponding ribs only without any demifacets for
the ribs below( ).
 Vertebrae 11 and 12 have no facets on their transverse processes ( ).
 Vertebra 12 has its inferior articular processes facing laterally just like the lumbar vertebrae ( )

STATION (4): ARTICULATED SKELETON

 Examine the general shape of the thoracic skeleton and note its conical appearance ( ).
 Inspect the costal cartilages ( ) and define the following: true ribs (whose costal cartilage reach the sternum by
themselves) are ribs number………………………………….
 False ribs (whose costal cartilage reach the one above and they form with each other the costal margin) are ribs
number……………………………….
 Floating ribs are the ones that do not reach the sternum at all and these are ribs number ………………………..
 Examine the articulation of the thoracic vertebrae togther and with the ribs. ( )
Identify the intervertebral foramina ( ), the costovertebral joints ( ), the costotransverse joints ( ).
 Also note the articulation of the second costal cartilage opposite the sternal angle ( ). Identify the costochondral
junctions ( ) and the sternocostal junctions ( ). Identify the intercostal space which is the space between two
successive ribs ( ) and state how many such spaces are there? ( ).
 Identify the superior opening of the thoracic cavity (the thoracic inlet) and name its boundaries
…………………………… ……… ……………………………………next examine the inferior opening of the
cavity ( the thoracic outlet) and name its boundaries………………..
…………………………………………………………………………….

February 2020
UNIVERSITY OF KHARTOUM ‫جامعة الخرطوم‬
FACULTY OF MEDICINE ‫كلية الطب‬
DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY ‫قسم التشريح‬
0155662029 5222661510
 P.O. Box 102 251 ‫ ص ب‬
E-mail.: anatomy.medicine@uofk.edu

Thorax: Practical (2)

STATION (1): INTERCOSTAL MUSCLES

Look at an intercostal space and identify the outermost muscle of the space the external intercostal muscle ( ) and
note that it attaches to two ribs ( ) and that its fibers run in a downward and forward direction ( ) and that it ends at
the level of the costochondral junctions ( ) where it becomes replaced by the external (anterior) intercostal
membrane that reaches up to the sternum. Note that posteriorly it starts at the level of the costotransvers joints ( ).
The internal intercostal muscle lies deep to the external intercostal ( ). It starts at the side of the sternum ( ) and
runs in a downward and backward direction ( ) and extends posteriorly to the region of the rib angles ( ) beyond
which it becomes replaced by the internal (posterior) intercostal membrane ( ).
The innermost intercostal muscle forms the deepest layer. It is not a complete layer instead it is formed of three
groups of muscles the best characterized is the one near the sternum which is seen to form longitudinal bands
extending from the side of the sternum and adjacent ribs to reach for a rib situated some distance below that level ( ).

STATION (2): INTERCOSTAL NEUROVASCULAR BUNDLE

Each intercostal space has in principle one vein, one artery and one nerve arranged in that order VAN from above
downwards ( ). The aorta contributes the single posterior intercostal artery ( ) while the internal thoracic artery ( )
gives two small anterior intercostal arteries ( ). The first two intercostal spaces posteriorly are supplied by an artery
from the neck and not from the aorta- the superior intercostal artery ( ). The internal thoracic arterry divides opposite
the sixth interspace into the musculophrenic ( ) and the superior epigastric arteries ( ). The musculophrenic
continues to give two ant intercostal arteries to the seventh, eighth and ninth spaces ( ). The last two don’t have ant
intercostal arteries ( ). The veins follow the arteries anteriorly into the internal thoracic veins ( ). Posteriorly on the
right most drain into the azygos vein ( ) while the first two or three or four may join and drain into the azygos or
vertebral or the brachiocephalic.( describe the situation in your
specimen…………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………)
on the left the lower ones drain into the suprior and inferior hemiazygos veins while the first four behave like in the
right side.
The intercostal nerve is the continuation of the thoracic spinal nerve ventral ramus ( ). It gives a collateral branch that
travels on the upper border of the rib below ( ) while its main trunk remains as a sensory nerve and give a lateral and
anterior cutaneous branches ( ). There is an artery a vein and a nerve below rib twelve but are called subcostal instead
of intercostal.

STATION (3): DIAPHRAGM

This is a fibromuscular partition between the thoracic and abdominal cavities. It is formed of a central tendon having
the shape of a trefoil leaf ( ) and a peripheral muscular part. From the side it looks like an inverted J ( ) and from
the front it is seen to have two domes right and left ( ). From below its two crura could be seen attaching to the upper
lumbar vertebrae ( ). Identify these structures as they pierce the diaphragm: the aorta ( ), the inferior vena cava ( )
and the oesophagus ( ). Satisfy yourself that the domes of the diaphragm reach up to the fifth intercostal space.

February 2020
UNIVERSITY OF KHARTOUM ‫جامعة الخرطوم‬
FACULTY OF MEDICINE ‫كلية الطب‬
DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY ‫قسم التشريح‬
0155662029 5222661510
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E-mail.: anatomy.medicine@uofk.edu

STATION (4): INTERNAL APPEARNCE OF THE THORACIC CAVITY

 The thoracic cavity is divided internally into two lateral spaces containg the lungs known as the
pleural spaces ( ) and a central compartment for the heart and great vessels known as the medisatinum ( ).
 The mediastinum is further subdivided for descriptive purposes into suprior ( ) and inferior mediastina ( )
by the plane of the sternal angle.
The heart divides the inferior mediastinum into anterior mediastinum anterior to it ( ) and posterior
mediastinum posterior to it ( ), while it occupies the middle mediastinum ( ).

 In the pleural cavity identify the parts of the parietal pleura which form the glistening tranparent layer over the
walls of the cavity. These are the costal parietal pleura ( ) lining the inside of the thoraic wall, the
diaphragmatic parietal pleura ( ) covering the upper surface of the diaphragm, the mediastinal parietal pleura (
) covering the medistinum, and the cervical parietal pleura lining the undersurface of the suprapleural
membrane ( ) which is a membrane that roofs over the apical part of the lungs.

February 2020
UNIVERSITY OF KHARTOUM ‫جامعة الخرطوم‬
FACULTY OF MEDICINE ‫كلية الطب‬
DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY ‫قسم التشريح‬
0155662029 5222661510
 P.O. Box 102 251 ‫ ص ب‬
E-mail.: anatomy.medicine@uofk.edu

Thorax: Practical (3)

Station (1): Right lung

In the isolated specimen of the right lungs provided identify the following:
1. the convex apex of the lung pointing superiorly ( )
2. the concave base resting on the diaphragm ( ) taking the shape of the diaphragmatic dome
3. the large convex costal surface ( ) with the impression of the ribs
4. The concave medial surface ( ) that faces the mediastinum from the right side. On this surface identify the
hilum ( ) and in it locate the pulmonary veins anteriorly and superiorly ( ), the pulmonary artery in the
middle( ) and the bronchus posteriorly( ). Also try to find the cardiac impression ( ) and the impressions
caused by arch of the azygos vein ( ) and the oesophagus ( ).
5. the sharp anterior border ( )
6. The blunt vertebral (posterior) border ( ).
7. that the right lung usually has three lobes( upper, middle and lower lobes) and two fissures ( oblique and
horizontal) ( )
After finishing this exercise on the lung go and examine the same lung in situ (i.e. still in place in the cadaver) so that
you can appreciate its relations just mentioned above.

Station (2): left lung

In the isolated specimen of the left lung identify the following:
1. the convex apex of the lung ( )
2. the concave base of the lung sitting on the left dome of the diaphragm ( )
3. the large costal surface ( ) with impressions of the ribs
4. the concave medial/mediastinal surface( ) that looks on the left side of the mediastinum. On this surface
locate the hilum with two pulmonary veins ( ) one anterior and inferior, the pulmonary artery( ) located
superiorly and the bronchus( ) posteriorly as usual. Locate the larger cardiac impression of the left lung( ),
the impression caused by the aortic arch( ) and the three branches exiting from it ( ), and the oesophagus (
).
5. the sharp anterior border ( ) that is notched by the heart to form the cardiac notch ( )
6. the blunt vertebral border ( )
7. note that the left lung usually has two lobes –upper and lower-( ) separated by a single fissure the oblique
fissure( ).
Now examine the lung in its place in the cadaver and verify its relation to the structures mentioned.

Station (3) : Superior Mediastinum

In the specimen in front of you define the upper and lower boundaries of the superior medistinum ( ) and note that
the manubrium is its ant wall while posteriorly it is bordered by the upper four thoracic vertebrae. Identify these
structures :
1. the left and right brachiocephalic veins ( ) as the left one comes and crosses the midline to empty in the right
vein and form the superior vena cava.
2. the superior vena cava ( ) formed by this union and note its entrance into the heart and note how the azygos
vein drains in it from behind( )

01

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UNIVERSITY OF KHARTOUM ‫جامعة الخرطوم‬
FACULTY OF MEDICINE ‫كلية الطب‬
DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY ‫قسم التشريح‬
0155662029 5222661510
 P.O. Box 102 251 ‫ ص ب‬
E-mail.: anatomy.medicine@uofk.edu

3. the arch of the aorta ( ) with its branches: the brachiocephalic trunk ( ), the right common carotid artery ( )
and the left subclavian artery ( ). Identify the ligamentum arteriosum ( ) that is a fibrous connection between
the aortic arch and the pulmonary trunk.
4. the vagus nerve on the two sides of the mediastinum as it crosses infront of the arteries ( ) and then passes
deep to the roots of the lungs to reach the oesophagus. Try to identify the recurrent laryngeal nerve of the left
vagus ( ) that hooks around the arch of aorta.
5. the phrenic nerve ( )that similarly crosses infront of the arteries and lateral to the vagus but then travels
anterior to the root of the lung ( ). It can be seen to run between the fibrous pericardium and the mediastinal
parietal pleura to reach the diaphragm.
6. the trachea with its C shaped cartilaginous rings ( ) and note that it bifurcates opposite the sternal angle ( )
into a larger and more vertical right bronchus( ) and a narrower more angled left bronchus ( )
7. then comes the oesophagus posterior to the trachea ( ) and resting on the upper thoracic vertebrae . on either
side of the organ could be found the superior intercostal vessels reaching for the brachiocephali vein or the
azygos.

Station (4): Posterior Mediastinum

 The anterior mediastinum only contains remnants of the thymus gland that are usually difficult to demonstrate in
an adult so it will not be dealt with any longer.
 The midlle mediastinum- heart- will be handled in a separate session.
In the specimen showing the posterior mediastinum identify the following structures:
1. the oesophagus( ) with the two vagi around it one anterior and one posterior ( ). Try to trace it to the
oesophageal hiatus of the diaphragm( ).
2. the descending aorta ( ) that is seen trying to tuck itself between the oesophagus and the vertebral coloumn.
Locate the posterior intercostals arteries as they branch from it ( ) and try to detect other branches e.g. to the
bronchi or oesophagus. Trace the aorta to its opening in the diaphragm
3. the thoracic duct ( ) lying posterior to the oesophagus and on its right side ( ). This is the largest lymphatic
vessel in the body. Note that it has a beaded appearance ( ) when seen from a close point because of the many
valves it contains
4. the azygos vein ( ) on the right side of the thoracic duct.
5. the hemiazygos veins ( ) on the left side of the posterior medistinum.
6. the thoracic part of the sympathetic chain ( ) with its ganglia and branches that originate from it and travel in
the direction of the diaphragm.

00

February 2020
UNIVERSITY OF KHARTOUM ‫جامعة الخرطوم‬
FACULTY OF MEDICINE ‫كلية الطب‬
DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY ‫قسم التشريح‬
0155662029 5222661510
 P.O. Box 102 251 ‫ ص ب‬
E-mail.: anatomy.medicine@uofk.edu

Thorax: Practical (4)

STATION (1): HEART IN PLACE

In the body specimen examine the heart in situ i.e. in its original place and identify the following:
1. the fibrous pericardium enclosing the heart ( ) and which is attached to the central tendon of the diaphragm.
Feel its surface on the outside and on the inside ( ), which is smoother? On the inside there is a lining of
parietal visceral pericardium that is continuous with that covering the heart, note that the surfaces covered
with visceral pericardium are shiny. Insert your index and middle fingers below the apex of the heart and slide
them in an oblique direction towards the right shoulder of the cadaver till they stop……. You are now in the
oblique pericardial sinus ( ). Now insert your index finger behind the pulmonary trunk and aorta from the left
side, it should come out on the right side in front of the superior vena cava ( ). This is the transverse
pericardial sinus.
2. now identify the different surfaces of the heart. The sternal surface is facing you ( ), the diaphragmatic
surface is sitting on the diaphragm ( ) and the posterior surface is posterior ( ), identify the different heart
chambers : the right atrium forming the right margin of the heart ( ), the right ventricle forming most of the
sternal surface ( ) and the left ventricle forming most of the diaphragmatic surface and the apex of the heart (
). The left atrium can only be felt in this specimen but not seen.

STATION (2): RIGHT ATRIUM AND RIGHT VENTRICLE

In the heart provided study the right atrium and right ventricle and look for the following:
1. the right auricle or auricular appendage pointing anteriorly ( ).
2. the sulcus termianlis externally marking the boundary between the region of the auricle and the region of the
main cavity of the atrium ( ).
3. internally identify the fossa ovalis ( )
4. the rough and the smooth parts of the atrium separated by the crista terminalis ( )
5. identify the openings of the superior and inferior vena cavae ( ), the coronary sinus ( ) and the right
atrioventricular canal guarded by the tricuspid valve ( ).
6. in the right ventricle look at the thickness of its wall ( )
7. identify the three papillary muscles : septal, anterior and posterior ( ) and the chordee tindineae ( )
attaching to the adjacent sides of two valve cusps ( ).
8. the trabeculated inside of the ventricle ( )
9. the moderator band which is one of the trabeculae that is attached at both its ends but free in between and it
extends from the septum to the anterior wall of the ventricle ( )
10. the infundiblum of the pulmonary trunk or its outflow track ( )

STATION (3): LEFT ATRIUM AND LEFT VENTRICLE

Identify the following:
1. in the left atrium identify the four pulmonary veins entering it ( ) two from each lung. Also identify its
smaller auricle ( ) and its interior with rough and smooth parts ( ).
2. identify the left atrioventricular canal guarded by the mitral valve.
3. in the left ventricle note the thickness of the wall and its trabeculated interior ( )
4. identify the two papillary muscles anterior and posterior ( ) and the aortic outflow track behind the posterior
cusp of the mitral valve.
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February 2020
UNIVERSITY OF KHARTOUM ‫جامعة الخرطوم‬
FACULTY OF MEDICINE ‫كلية الطب‬
DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY ‫قسم التشريح‬
0155662029 5222661510
 P.O. Box 102 251 ‫ ص ب‬
E-mail.: anatomy.medicine@uofk.edu

STATION (4): BLOOD SUPPLY OF THE HEART

Identify the following vessels:
1. the right coronary artery as it emerges between the right auricle and the pulmonary trunk ( ) and travels in the
right part of the atrioventricular groove and gives small branches to the atrium and ventricle as it goes.
2. Before it turns to the posterior surface of the heart it gives the marginal artery ( ) that runs along the border
between the sternal surface and the diaphragmatic one ( ).
3. posteriorly the continuation of the right coronary enters the interventricular groove and changes its name to
become the posterior interventricular artery( ) or also known as the right posterior descending branch.
4. now identify the left coronary artery as it emerges between the left auricle and the pulmonary trunk ( ).
5. it gives a large anterior interventricular artery that travels in the anterior ivterventricular ( ) groove. It is also
known as the left anterior descending branch.
6. it gives a marginal and a diagonal branch that travel towards the apex ( )
7. the main artery winds around the left border of the heart towards the posterior surface to become the
circumflex artery ( )
8. the venous drainage is through veins that accompany the main arteries and their branches ( ) e.g. the great
cardiac vein traveling with the anterior interventricular artery. and coolect the blood to empty it in the
coronary sinus( ) that is situated posteriorly in the atrioventricular groove.

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February 2020