Apex
the tip of a pyramidal or rounded structure, such as the lung or the heart
Base
The part of the heart formed mainly by the left atrium and to a lesser extent by the posterior part of the right atrium, directed backward and to the right, and separated from the vertebral column by the esophagus and aorta.
Pericardium
the membrane enclosing the heart, consisting of an outer fibrous layer and an inner double layer of serous membrane
Atria
an anatomical cavity or passage; especially : a chamber of the heart that receives blood from the veins and forces it into a ventricle or ventricles
Ventricles
a hollow part or cavity in an organ, in particular.
each of the two main chambers of the heart, left and right.
each of the four connected fluid-filled cavities in the center of the brain
Interatrial septum
the wall separating the left and right atria of the heart.
Superior venae cavae
A large vein that receives blood from the head, neck, upper extremities, and thorax and delivers it to the right atrium of the heart
Inferior venae cavae
large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower and middle body into the right atrium of the heart
Pulmonary arteries
One of the two vessels which are formed as terminal branches of the pulmonary trunk and convey un-aerated blood to the lungs
Pulmonary veins
the veins that transfer oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.
Aorta
largest artery in the body, the aorta arises from the left ventricle of the heart, goes up (ascends) a little ways, bends over (arches), then goes down (descends) through the chest and through the abdomen
Atrioventricular valves
a valve in the heart through which blood flows from the atria to the ventricles.
Bicuspid valves
the valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart, consisting of two tapered cusps
Tricuspid valves
a valve that is situated at the opening of the right atrium of the heart into the right ventricle and that resembles the mitral valve in structure but consists of three triangular membranous flaps
Chordae tendineae
Thread-like bands of fibrous tissue which attach on one end to the edges of the tricuspid and mitral valves of the heart and on the other end to the papillary muscles, small muscles within the heart that serve to anchor the valves.
Semilunar valves
each of a pair of valves in the heart, at the bases of the aorta and the pulmonary artery, consisting of three cusps or flaps that prevent the flow of blood back into the heart
Coronary arteries
encircle the heart in the manner of a crown The vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood rich in oxygen
Cardiac veins
any of the veins returning the blood from the tissues of the heart that open into the right atrium
Coronary sinus
collection of veins joined together to form a large vessel that collects blood from the heart muscle (myocardium). It delivers less-oxygenated blood to the right atrium, as do the superior and inferior vena cavae
Sinoatrial node
a small body of specialized muscle tissue in the wall of the right atrium of the heart that acts as a pacemaker by producing a contractile signal at regular intervals
Purkinje fibers
Any of the specialized cardiac muscle fibers, part of the impulse-conducting network of the heart, that rapidly transmit impulses from the atrioventricular node to the ventricles
Pacemaker
group of specialized muscle fibers in the heart that send out impulses to regulate the heartbeat
Systole
time period when the heart is contracting
Diastole
the passive rhythmical expansion or dilation of the cavities of the heart during which they fill with blood