- Pericardial sinuses: two recesses in the pericardial cavity between the parietal and visceral layers of serous pericardium, the transverse sinus and oblique sinus.
Formation of the Pericardial Sinuses
- Formed by reflection of the visceral layer of serous pericardium around the roots of the great vessels of the heart.
- Visceral pericardium (epicardium) at the vessel roots forms two tubes; the sinuses lie in relation to these tubes.
- Arterial tube: ascending aorta, pulmonary trunk.
- Venous tube: SVC, IVC, four pulmonary veins.
interior of the pericardial sac after removal of the heart, transverse and oblique sinuses Interior of the pericardial sac after removal of the heart, transverse and oblique sinuses.