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Normal Pericardial Anatomy - Vertebral ligaments


Dorsal view of the pericardial sac containing the heart. The attachment of the pericardial sac to the diaphragm is shown in the posterior view (the anterior view is shown in figure 3). There are two distinct ridges of connective tissue (white arrowheads) which represent the pericardiovertebral ligament. In the lower portion of these ligaments is an orifice which corresponds to the diaphragmatic hiatus (the thoracic portion of the aorta, the esophagus, trachea and right and left bronchi have been removed). The posterior central position of the left atrium flanked by the pulmonary veins is shown. The pericardial fibrosa merges with the adventitia of each of the pulmonary veins, just as it merges with the root of the great vessels anteriorly. Inside the pericardium, the space bounded by the posterior wall of the left atrium and the pulmonary veins corresponds to the oblique sinus of the pericardium.

The pericardial attachment to the great vessels is shown here.

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