Heart Anatomy
This chamber of the heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body.
left ventricle
These vessels carry blood away from the heart
arteries
These cells contain hemoglobin and are responsible for transporting oxygen and some carbon dioxide.
red blood cells (erythrocytes)
This circuit transports deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs and returns oxygenated blood to the heart
pulmonary circulation
This measurement is expressed as systolic pressure over diastolic pressure.
blood pressure
This valve separates the left atrium from the left ventricle.
mitral (bicuspid) valve
These tiny vessels are where gas and nutrient exchange occurs.
capillaries
This iron-containing protein allows red blood cells to bind and transport oxygen.
hemoglobin
This circuit delivers oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to body tissues and returns deoxygenated blood to the right atrium.
systemic circulation
This substance found in tobacco smoke damages blood vessels and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
nicotine
The wall dividing the right and left sides of the heart is called this.
septum
These vessels contain valves that help prevent backflow of blood.
veins
These cell fragments originate from megakaryocytes and play a key role in blood clotting.
platelets (thrombocytes)
These two large veins empty directly into the right atrium
superior and inferior vena cava
This condition occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
heart failure
This chamber receives oxygenated blood from the lungs
left atrium
This is the largest artery in the body.
aorta
This straw-colored liquid makes up about 55% of blood volume and contains proteins such as albumin and fibrinogen
plasma
This phase of the cardiac cycle occurs when the ventricles contract and pump blood into the arteries.
systole
This cardiovascular condition is characterized by consistently elevated blood pressure and can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
hypertension
These arteries supply blood directly to the heart muscle.
coronary arteries
Blood travels from the heart to the lungs through this artery.
pulmonary artery
These white blood cells produce antibodies as part of the body's adaptive immune response.
B lymphocytes (B cells)
Gas exchange occurs in these microscopic structures of the lungs where blood releases carbon dioxide and picks up oxygen.
alveoli
This diagnostic test measures the electrical activity of the heart and can help identify arrhythmias and conduction abnormalities.
electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)