During cardiac surgery of a 45-year-old male the cardiac surgeon can place her fingers in the transverse pericardial sinus, if necessary. This allows the surgeon to easily place a vascular clamp upon which of the following vessels?: (A) Right and left pulmonary veins, (B) Superior and inferior vena cava, (C) Right and left coronary arteries, (D) Pulmonary trunk and ascending aorta
Answer is D. A finger passing through the transverse pericardial sinus passes directly behind the great arteries exiting the heart, allowing the surgeon to rather easily place a vascular clamp upon the pulmonary trunk and ascending aorta. The other vessels listed are not readily accessible by way of the transverse sinus.