Oblique pericardial sinus

Last revised by Arlene Campos on 12 Jan 2024

The oblique pericardial sinus is a blind-ending pericardial cul-de-sac behind the heart which opens into the pericardial space proper inferiorly.

Gross anatomy

The oblique sinus forms the posterior pericardial recess 5.

Boundaries
  • right (in ascending order): inferior vena cava, right inferior pulmonary vein and right superior pulmonary vein

  • superior: it is separated from the transverse pericardial sinus above by a double reflection of serous pericardium that extends transversely between the left and right superior pulmonary veins

  • left (in ascending order): left inferior pulmonary vein and left superior pulmonary vein

  • anteriorly: heart, specifically the posterior wall of the left atrium

  • posteriorly: pericardium, esophagus

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