Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards
What is the heart enclosed in?
Thoracic Cavity (mediastinum)
What are the two Atrioventricular Values
Mitral Valve and Tricuspid Valve
Describe the Atria?
Thin walled, low-pressure chambers that receive blood
Wall of connective tissue separating atria - interatrial septum
Left atrial wall thicker than right
Right atria has larger reservoir
Atria fill passively to 70% as AV valves close
Final contraction from atria completely fill ventricles
Describe the ventricles?
Ventricles are large, thick-walled, high-pressure chambers that pump blood to the lungs and through systemic circulation
The left ventricle is 3 times thicker than the right ventricle to enable forceful contraction and overcome arterial pressure and resistance
Wall of connective tissue separates ventricles - interventricular septum
Name and describe the layers of the walls of the atria and ventricles?
Walls are composed of three layers of tissue
Innermost layer: Endocardium - smooth to promote low friction movement of blood
Middle Layer: Myocardium - contains muscle cells
Outer layer: Epicardium - thin layer of smooth connective tissue
Describe the endocardium
Inner layer of the heart wall
Smooth to promote low friction movement of blood
Depolarization of heart goes from Endo- to Epi-
Repolarization of heart goes from Epi- to Endo-
Describe the myocardium?
Middle layer of heart wall
Muscle responsible for contraction of heart
Large walls
Needs oxygenated blood for contraction
Describe the epicardium?
Outer layer of heart wall and muscle tissue
Also the inner layer of the pericardium (also known as visceral pericardium)
Mainly connective tissues and functions as protection
Describe the pericardium?
The heart is enclosed in the pericardium, which is a fibrous, doubled-walled sac consisting of two layers. The outer tough layer - fibrous pericardium, which comes into direct contact with the lung and the inner layer of the pericardium, which is called the serous pericardium.
The visceral pericardium (epicardium) covers the heart itself.
Describe the function of the heart valves?
Ensure unidirectional blood flow (no ack flow)
Opens and Closes depending on pressure difference on each side of the valve
What are the main valves?
Atrioventricular Valves (AV)
- Prevent backflow of blood from ventricles to atria during systole
- Complex structure (leaflets, chordae tenindae & papillary muscles)
- Anchored to wall of ventricle by chordae tendinae, which prevents them from inverting
- AV valves consist of the Tricuspid and Mitral Valves
Semilunar Valves (SL)
- Prevent backflow of blood from arteries into ventricles during diastole
- Simple structure with passive closing: backflow of blood after systole
- SL valves consist of the Aortic and Pulmonic Valves
What do the AV valves consist of?
AV valves consist of the Tricuspid Valve and Mitral (Bicuspid) Valve
What do the Semilunar valves consist of?
SL valves consist of the Aortic Valve and Pulmonic Valve
What are the veins of the heart?
Veins are blood vessels that bring blood back to the heart and drain blood from organs and limbs.
There are 3 veins connected to the right atrium:
- Inferior Vena Cava (Lower Body)
- Superior Vena Cava (Upper Body)
- Coronary Sinus (Coronary Arteries)
There are 4 veins connected to the left atrium:
- 4 pulmonary veins (lungs)
Describe the function of the arteries?
Arteries carry blood away from the heart. The left ventricle pumps blood into the aorta and the right ventricle pumps blood into the pulmonary artery. Main arteries have elastic properties which are important in determining blood pressure.
Right Coronary Artery - Posterior Interventricular Artery Left Coronary Artery - Circumflex Artery - Anterior Interventricular Artery
Which arteries supply blood to the muscle walls of the heart?
Coronary Arteries
There are two main arteries that supply blood to the muscle walls of the heart
Right Coronary Artery (RCA)
Left Coronary Artery (LCA)