Day: February 17, 2010

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Structure of the heart

Functions of the heart structures

  • ATRIUM: smaller chamber of the heart through which blood enters the heart
  • VENTRICLE: larger chamber of the heart which pushes blood away from the heart
  • AORTA: major artery carrying blood away from the left ventricle
  • VENA CAVA: main vein returning blood to the right atrium
  • CORONARY ARTERIES: the first vessels to branch from the aorta; they supply blood to the heart muscle

Here is a really really good resource for your learning.

http://inspirahealth.com/templates/animations/heartanat.swf

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The coronary artery

THE CORONARY ARTERIES branch from the aorta as soon as it emerges from the heart. They deliver oxygenated blood the the heart muscle.

Coronary artery disease (or coronary heart disease) involves the build up of deposits in these crucial vessels. This reduces and sometimes completely blocks the flow of blood resulting in a heart attack.

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How does blood travel through the heart?

  1. deoxygenated blood returning from the body enters the heart through the superior vena cava and inferior vena cava.
  2. blood passes into the right atrium and right ventricle.
  3. right ventricle pushes the blood through the pulmonary arteries.
  4. blood passes through the lungs where it loses carbon dioxide and picks up oxygen.
  5. this oxygenated blood returns to the heart via the pulmonary veins.
  6. blood enters the left atrium and left ventricle.
  7. the left ventricle pushes the blood out through the main artery, the aorta.
  8. blood travels to all parts of the body where it delivers oxygen and picks up carbon dioxide.

Click to see this process in animation

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Double circulation of our blood circulatory system

Double Circulation of the Blood refers to the passage of the blood firstly through the lungs (the pulmonary circulation – where it picks up oxygen and releases carbon dioxide) and then through the body (the systemic circulation) where it delivers its cargo of oxygen and picks up carbon dioxide.

These two circuits are powered by different sides of the heart. The right side of the heart pushes the blood at relatively low pressure through the lungs. The left side of the heart pushes the blood at relatively high pressure through the whole body.