Cardiovascular System:Heart and Blood Vessels

Question 1

Describe the location & structure of the heart

Answer 1

-Located in the mediastinum, two-thirds to the left of the body midline & one-third to the right, the apex rests on the diaphragm.

-Size: similar to a closed fist.

-Lies between the sternum (anteriorly) and thoracic vertebrae (posteriorly).

Question 2

What are the functions of the heart?

Answer 2

Question 3

Describe the blood flow of the heart.

Answer 3

1. Venous blood enters right atrium via superior/inferior venae cavae.
2. Passes through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle.
3. From the right ventricle, flow through the pulmonary semilunar valve → pulmonary arteries, → lungs.
4. From the lungs, oxygenated blood returns via pulmonary veins to the left atrium.
5. Passes through the bicuspid (mitral) valve into the left ventricle.
6. Blood is pumped into the aorta through the aortic semilunar valve → systemic circulation.

Question 4

Coronary Circulation

Answer 4

-It supplies oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle via the right and left coronary arteries.

Question 5

Explain the Electrical Activity of the Heart

Answer 5

Question 6

What determines Cardiac Output?

Answer 6

o Determined by heart rate(number of heartbeats (cardiac cycles) per minute) and stroke volume (blood ejected per beat).
o Average output in adults: 5 L/min.

Question 7

What are the Routes of Circulation?

Answer 7

Question 8

Hemodynamics

Answer 8

Question 9

Pulse Points

Answer 9

o Pulse felt due to alternating expansion and recoil of vessel walls.

o 9 major pulse points (e.g., temporal, carotid, radial, etc.).