heart Flashcards
(6 cards)
hearts function
The heart’s function is to pump blood throughout the body to supply oxygen and nutrients to all tissues and organs. It acts as a strong, muscular pump that pushes blood into two separate circuits. First, the heart sends oxygen-poor blood to the lungs through the pulmonary arteries, where the blood picks up oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. Then, it pumps the oxygen-rich blood from the lungs through the rest of the body via the arteries. This continuous circulation helps remove waste products and delivers essential substances like oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to cells. The heart also helps maintain blood pressure and ensures that blood flows in one direction using valves that prevent backflow. Overall, the heart works tirelessly to keep the body alive and healthy by maintaining a steady and efficient blood flow.
heart four chambers
The heart has four chambers that work together to pump blood: two upper chambers called atria and two lower chambers called ventricles.
The right atrium receives oxygen-poor blood from the body through large veins called the superior and inferior vena cava. Its job is to collect this blood and pass it down to the right ventricle.
The right ventricle then pumps this oxygen-poor blood to the lungs through the pulmonary artery. In the lungs, the blood picks up oxygen and gets rid of carbon dioxide.
The left atrium receives the oxygen-rich blood from the lungs through the pulmonary veins. It collects this fresh blood and sends it down to the left ventricle.
The left ventricle is the strongest chamber because it pumps oxygen-rich blood out to the entire body through the aorta, the largest artery. This chamber must work hard to push blood all around the body to deliver oxygen and nutrients.
4 chamb blood vessel
Pulmonary Vein – Carries oxygen-rich blood from the lungs back to the heart; located entering the left atrium. Its function is to deliver fresh oxygenated blood so it can be pumped to the body.
Aorta – The largest artery in the body, starting at the left ventricle and arching through the chest and abdomen. It carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart and distributes it to all body organs and tissues through its many branches.
Vena Cava – Comprises two large veins, the superior vena cava (from the upper body) and inferior vena cava (from the lower body), which return oxygen-poor blood to the right atrium of the heart for oxygenation.
Pulmonary Artery – Originates from the right ventricle and splits into left and right branches leading to the lungs. It carries oxygen-poor blood to the lungs where it receives oxygen and removes carbon dioxide.
4 valves
Tricuspid Valve – Located between the right atrium and right ventricle. It opens to allow oxygen-poor blood to flow from the atrium into the ventricle. When the ventricle contracts, the valve closes tightly to prevent blood from flowing backward into the atrium, ensuring efficient one-way blood flow to the lungs.
Bicuspid (Mitral) Valve – Located between the left atrium and left ventricle. It opens to let oxygen-rich blood flow from the atrium into the ventricle. During ventricular contraction, the valve closes securely to stop blood from leaking back into the left atrium, helping maintain strong pressure to pump blood through the body.
Pulmonary Valve – Found between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery. This valve opens to allow oxygen-poor blood to be pushed into the pulmonary artery toward the lungs. After the ventricle contracts, the valve closes to prevent blood from flowing back into the right ventricle, supporting proper blood flow to the lungs for oxygenation.
Aortic Valve – Located between the left ventricle and the aorta. It opens during ventricular contraction to let oxygen-rich blood flow into the aorta and out to the body. After the blood is pumped out, the valve closes firmly to prevent blood from returning to the left ventricle, helping maintain high pressure needed for circulation.
double pump
pulmonary - right side of body gets deoxygenated blood from body and pumps it to the lungs
systemic- left side of heart receives oxygenated blood from lungs and passes it to the rest of the body
circularity system
The circulatory system moves blood throughout the body to deliver oxygen, nutrients, and hormones while removing waste like carbon dioxide.
The heart pumps oxygen-poor blood from the body into the right atrium.
Blood moves from the right atrium to the right ventricle, which pumps it through the pulmonary artery to the lungs.
In the lungs, blood picks up oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.
Oxygen-rich blood returns to the left atrium of the heart through the pulmonary veins.
Blood flows from the left atrium to the left ventricle, which pumps it out through the aorta to the entire body.
Blood travels through arteries and capillaries where oxygen and nutrients pass into body tissues, and waste products enter the blood.
Oxygen-poor blood returns to the heart through veins, completing the cycle.
The circulatory system also helps regulate body temperature and transport white blood cells to fight infections.
