title: The heart and pericardium.
abstract: This article describes the normal anatomy of the heart and pericardium. Included is a detailed description of the pericardium, mediastinal nerves, cardiac chambers, valves, coronary arteries and veins, and the conduction tissues. As cardiac and thoracic surgery continue to get more specialized and the procedures become less invasive, it is essential for the cardiothoracic surgeon to have a thorough working knowledge of cardiothoracic anatomy.
authors.affiliation: Section of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery, The University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC 5040, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. sakhter@surgery.bsd.uchicago.edu
authors.forename: Shahab A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Akhter
mesh_terms: D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000294:innervation; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D010496:Pericardium / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014261:Tricuspid Valve / Q000033:anatomy & histology