The details of the structure of heart should be studied by referring to the other volume of the lecture notes.
A specimen of the heart with the pericardium is given for dissection.
Study the pericardium and note its attachment to the blood vessels at the base of the heart.
Dissection
Slit open the pericardium by making cuts along the anterior and posterior margins.
Reflect the flaps to the base of the heart and note how the perietal layer of the pericardium becomes continuous with the visceral layer at the line of reflection to the great Vessels. Now cut and remove the pericardium at the line of reflection.
Study the external features of the heart. Note the left and right longitudinal grooves and the coronary groove.
The intermediate groove may be seen on the wall of the left ventricle near the posterior border.
Identify the chambers of the heart, the atria and ventricles and the blood vessel terminating in and arising from them.
