Heart Anatomy
Fibrous pericardium, and serous pericardium (divided into parietal pericardium and visceral pericardium)
The atria of the heart are also called the?
Receiving chambers
Blood that leaves the left atrium enters which structure of the heart next?
The left ventricle
What is the function of the heart valves?
To prevent backflow of blood.
What are the components of the intrinsic conduction system?
SA Node, AV Node, AV bundle (bundle of His), bundle branches, and the Purkinje fibers
Where within the thoracic cavity do we find the heart?
The mediastinum
How does the heart act like a double pump?
It has arteries that carry blood away from the heart and veins that carry blood back to the heart
Blood that exits the right ventricle via the pulmonary artery must pass through which heart valve?
The pulmonary semilunar valve
Name of the structure that anchor the cusps to the walls of the ventricles.
Describe the pressure within the heart during atrial diastole.
Pressure is low in both chambers of the heart.
The base of the heart points towards the?
Towards the right shoulder
Differentiate between the atria and the ventricles
Atria are superior, not important in pumping activity of the heart, and they assist in filling the ventricles. The ventricles are the actual pumps of the heart and when they contract, blood is propelled out of the heart and into circulation.
How does blood that is returning from the body systems enter the heart?
Via the inferior and superior vena cavae.
Describe how the semilunar valves are forced to close.
As ventricles relax, intraventricular pressure falls, blood flows back from the arteries, filling the cusps of semilunar valves and forcing them to close
In which phase of the cardiac cycle are the semilunar valves finally forced open?
Ventricular Systole
What is the function of the fibrous pericardium? - 2 functions
Protect the heart and anchors it to the surrounding structure (sternum and diaphragm)
What are the functions of the pulmonary circuit and the systemic circuit?
Where is the site of gas exchange when oxygenated blood leaves the heart?
The capillary beds of all body tissues
When do AV valves operate?
AV valves are open during heart relaxation and close during ventricle contraction
Describe the pressure difference between the Atrium and the Ventricles during Isovolumetric Relaxation and how this influences the AV valves.
The pressure in the ventricle decreases until it is lower than the pressure within the atrium. At this point, the pressure difference causes the AV valves to open.
Describe the arrangement of myocardium in the heart.
The muscle is twisted and whorled into ringlike arrangements
How are the pulmonary veins different from other veins found throughout the body?
The pulmonary vein returns oxygen-rich blood back to the heart from the lungs. Normally, veins carry oxygen-deficient blood back to the heart.
Describe the flow of blood as it enters the right side of the heart.
Superior/inferior vena cavae - Right Atrium - through Tricuspid - Right ventricle - Pulmonary semilunar valve - Pulmonary Trunk - Lungs
How is the myocardium of the heart nourished?
Via the coronary arteries
In which phase does atrial systole end and ventricular systole begin?
Isovolumetric Contraction