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Dissection of pericardium and heart in situ

Ascending aorta; aortic arch and branches

Image #117-2

KEYWORDS: Heart, Left heart, Mediastinum, Pericardial sac, Right heart, Vasculature.

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Dissection of pericardium and heart in situ

Ascending aorta; aortic arch and branches

The branches of the aortic arch have been exposed by removing the overlying brachiocephalic vein. The superior extent of the pericardial sac in this specimen is indicated at 8. The entire ascending aorta is thus seen to lie within the pericardial cavity. The pleural coverings of the superior mediastinum have been reflected laterally on both sides to provide better exposure of the structures within the area.

1 .	Superior cardiac branch vagus nerve (upper branch)
2 .	Thyrocervical trunk
3 .	Recurrent laryngeal nerve
4 .	Superior cardiac branch vagus nerve (lower branch)
5 .	Phrenic nerve
6 .	Brachiocephalic trunk
7 .	Pericardial branch of thyrocervical trunk
8 .	Superior extent of pericardial cavity
9 .	Superior vena cava (cut off)
10 .	Ascending aorta (covered by serous layer of pericardium)
11 .	Pericardium
12 .	Left phrenic nerve
13 .	Anterior scalene muscle
14 .	Upper pointer: Inferior laryngeal nerve Lower pointer: Esophagus
15 .	Left subclavian vein
16 .	Thoracic duct
17 .	Common carotid artery
18 .	Left subclavian artery
19 .	Upper pointer: Superior cardiac branch vagus nerve Lower pointer: Vagus nerve
20 .	Mediastinal pleura (reflected)
21 .	Lung
22 .	Conus arteriosus