The Circulatory System Flashcards
Where is the heart located?
The heart lies behind the sternum, just left of centre.
What is the function of the heart?
The heart is an organ that pumps blood throughout the body supplying oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and removing carbon dioxide and other wastes.
Where dose the heart receive oxygenated blood from?
Pulmonary vein
Where dose the heart pump deoxygenated blood to?
The lungs via the pulmonary artery
How many chambers dose the heart have?
Four
Which chambers of the heart receive blood?
Left and right atrium
Which chambers of the heart pump blood?
Left and right ventricle
What is the name of the largest artery leaving the heart?
Aorta
What is the name of the largest vein entering the heart?
Vena cava
What is oxygenated blood?
Oxygenated blood is blood rich in oxygen.
What is deoxygenated blood?
Deoxygenated blood is blood with high levels of carbon dioxide.
What type of blood is found in the aorta?
Oxygenated
What type of blood is found in the pulmonary vein?
Oxygenated
What type of blood is found in the pulmonary artery?
Deoxygenated
Describe some of the differences between arteries and veins?
- Arteries have thick, elastic, muscular walls whereas veins have thin walls with few elastic fibres.
- Veins have one-way valves whereas arteries do not have any valves.
Describe capillaries?
Capillaries have extremely thin walls (approx. one cell thick) that allows the diffusion of nutrients and gases into tissue cells.