Circulatory System - The Heart Flashcards
What does the right ventricle pump?
It pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs to take in oxygen. The blood then returns to the heart.
What does the left ventricle pump?
It pumps oxygenated blood around all the other organs of the body. The blood gives up its oxygen at the blood cells and the deoxygenated blood returns to the heart to be pumped out to the lungs again.
What is deoxygenated blood?
Blood without oxygen.
What is the top half of the heart called?
The atria.
What is the bottom half of the heart called?
The ventricles.
How is blood pumped around the heart?
Blood flows into the two atria from the vena cava and the pulmonary vein.
The atria contract, pushing the blood into the ventricles.
The ventricles contract, forcing the blood into the pulmonary artery and the aorta, and out of the heart.
The blood flows to the organs through arteries and returns through veins. The atria fills again and the cycle starts over.
What is the function of coronary arteries?
They branch off the aorta and surround the heart, making sure it gets all the oxygenated blood it needs - because the heart needs its own supply of oxygenated blood.
How does deoxygenated blood get in and leave the heart?
It comes in through the vena cava, into the right atrium, through the valve into the right ventricle which goes through another valve and leaves through the pulmonary artery.
How does oxygenated blood get in and leave the heart?
It comes in through the pulmonary vein, into the left atrium, through the valve into the left ventricle which goes through another valve and leaves through the aorta.
How is your heart rate controlled?
It is controlled by a group of cells in the right atrium that act as a pacemaker.
What do the cells in the right atrium produce?
They produce a small electric impulse which spreads to the surrounding muscle cells, causing them to contract.
Why are artificial pacemakers used?
They are often used to control heartbeat if the natural pacemaker cells don’t work properly.
How does an artificial pacemaker work?
It is a little device implanted under the skin and has a wire going to the heart - it produces an electric current to keep the heart beating regularly.
What are the 4 chambers of the heart?
Right and left atrium which brings in blood and the right and left ventricles which pumps out blood.
What are the walls of the heart made of?
Muscle tissue.
