Heart Structure - Topic 1 Flashcards
Describe the the function of the left atrium
The upper left chamber of the heart. It receives blood from the lungs via the left and right pulmonary veins and pumps it through the bicuspid valve into the left ventricle
Describe the structure and function of the left Atrrioventricular/bicuspid (mitral) valve
Heart valve with two triangular folds between the left atrium and ventricle. It opens to allow blood from the left atrium to the left ventricle and shuts to prevent blood flowing back into the left atrium when the heart contracts
What is the difference in structure between the left ventricle and right ventricle?
The left ventricle has a thicker wall than the tight as it must forget blood to all other parts of the body against the flow of resistance
Where is the aortic valve?
Between the left ventricle and aorta
What is the aorta?
The main artery of the arterial system. It carries blood from the left ventricle to all parts of the body except the lungs.
What is the left pulmonary artery?
Supplies delxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the left lung to undergo respiration
What does the left superior pulmonary vein do?
Returns oxygenated blood from the left lobe of the lung back to the left atrium
What does the right atrium do?
Receives deoxygenated blood from the inferior and superior vena cavas, sends it through the tricuspid (right AV) valve and into the right ventricle.
What is the tricuspid valve?
Valve with 3 triangulat folds that opens to allow blood from right atrium to right ventricle and shuts to rlevents backflow of blood back into right atrium.
What is the right ventricle?
Lower right cavity of the heart. Receives deoxygenated blood from right atrium and propels it into the pulmonary artery so it can go to the lungs where has exchange occurs
What is the right pulmonary artery?
Blood vessel that conveys deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the right lung to undergo gas exchange. It’s thicker and longer than the left pulmonary artery.
What is the pulmonary valve?
Valve between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery
What is the inferior vena cava?
Largest vein in human body. Collects deoxygenated blood from tissues inferior to (below) the heart and returns this to the right atrium. It is large in diameter and has thin walls due to the low pressure exerted by venous blood.
What is the superior vena cava?
Veins from all parts of the body (not lungs back to heart( convergent and lead to the right atrium varying deoxygenated blood
What is the septum?
A thick partition dividing the right and left sides of the heart
