Function, Walls, Chambers, & Valves

Question 1

What is the main function of the cardiovascular system?

Answer 1

Transport O2, nutrients, cell waste, hormones, and other substances vital to the body to and from the cell

Question 2

What is the transport vehicle for the cardiovascular system?

Answer 2

Blood

Question 3

What is the cardiovascular system composed of? (3)

Answer 3

1. Heart
2. Blood vessels
3. Blood

Question 4

List 3 physical aspects of the heart as a whole. (3)

Answer 4

1. Hollow, muscular organ
2. Weighs less than a pound
3. Apex of the heart is pointed towards the left hip and rests on the diaphragm at about the 5th intercostals space

Question 5

List and briefly describe the 3 layers of pericardium. (3)

Answer 5

1. Parietal pericardium → tough outer layer that forms the fibrous sac which surrounds and protects the heart
2. Visceral pericardium → inner layer of the pericardium which forms the outer layer of the heart = epicardium
3. Pericardial fluid (serous fluid) → found between the 2 layers where it acts as a lubricant to prevent friction when the heart beats

Question 6

What kind of “sac” is the pericardium?

Answer 6

Double-walled, membranous sac that encloses the heart

Question 7

Define: pericarditis

Answer 7

Inflammation of the pericadium

Question 8

What is the main effect of pericarditis?

Answer 8

Often results in a decrease in the already small amount of serous fluid

Question 9

List and describe the location of the 3 layers of the walls of the heart. (3)

Answer 9

1. Epicardium → closest to the heart
2. Myocardium → middle layer
3. Endocardium → outer layer

Question 10

Which layer of the heart is the thickest and why? (2)

Answer 10

1. Myocardium

2. It’s the layer that contracts and beats constantly

Question 11

What happens if blood supply to the heart is disrupted?

Answer 11

The myocardium in the affected area dies → heart attack

Question 12

What is the endocardium composed of and how would one describe the thickness of it? (2)

Answer 12

1. Epithelial tissue

2. Thin, glistening sheet

Question 13

List the 2 types of hollow chambers and describe their location relating to each other. (2)

Answer 13

2 atria → superior to ventricles

2 ventricles → inferior to atria

Question 14

What is are the atria’s main function?

Answer 14

Receive blood

Question 15

What is main function of ventricles?

Answer 15

Pump blood through the entire body

Question 16

Differentiate between the right and left chambers of the heart. (2)

Answer 16

1. Right chambers → pulmonary circulation (deoxygenated blood)
2. Left chambers → systemic circulation (oxygenated blood)

Question 17

What is the purpose of pulmonary circulation?

Answer 17

Carry blood to the lungs for gas exchange → heart

Question 18

What is unique about pulmonary circulation in the heart?

Answer 18

It is the only place in the body where deoxygenated blood is carried by the arteries instead of the veins

Question 19

What is the purpose of systemic circulation?

Answer 19

Supply oxygenated blood to all organs

Question 20

List the 4 valves of the heart in the order that deoxygenated blood reaches them. (4)

Answer 20

1. Tricuspid valve → right AV valve
2. Pulmonary semilunar valve
3. Bicuspid valve → left AV valve
4. Aortic semilunar valve

Question 21

Define chordae tendineae and describe its purpose. (2)

Answer 21

1. Heart strings

2. Holds the atrium to the ventricles