Structure and function of the heart Flashcards
What type of circulatory system does the heart have?
Double Circulatory System
This means there are two loops in the body: one for deoxygenated blood and one for oxygenated blood.
How many chambers does the heart have?
Four chambers
What are the smaller top chambers of the heart called?
Atria
What are the larger bottom chambers of the heart called?
Ventricles
What does the right side of the heart do?
Receives deoxygenated blood from the body and sends it to the lungs
What does the left side of the heart do?
Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and sends it to the body
What is the function of the superior vena cava?
Brings de-oxygenated blood from the body to the heart
Where does the superior vena cava empty?
Into the right atrium of the heart
What is the inferior vena cava?
A large vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart
What does the right atrium do?
Receives deoxygenated blood from the body
What is the function of the tricuspid valve?
Prevent backflow of blood into the right atrium
What does the right ventricle do?
Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs
What opens the pulmonary semi-lunar valve?
Increased blood pressure of the ventricular systole
What does the pulmonary artery do?
Carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs
What does the pulmonary vein do?
Takes oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium
Where does oxygen-rich blood enter the heart?
Left atrium
What is the function of the bicuspid valve?
Permits blood to flow one way only, from the left atrium into the left ventricle
What does the left ventricle do?
Receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium and pumps it through the aorta
What is the function of the aortic semi-lunar valve?
Prevents backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole
What is the aorta?
The body’s largest artery
What does the aorta do?
Takes oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body
