The heart Flashcards
What are the characteristics of the heart?
Its a hollow muscular bag, positioned between lungs (mediastinum). it rests on the diaphragm, about 2/3 lies to left of the body but can alter between individuals
What is the function of the heart?
It is for blood circulation, delivering o2 and nutrients to body and removing wastes, is responsive to changing needs and can increase output by 7x
What is the pericardium?
The pericardium is the protective sac enclosing the heart and great blood vessels
What is the parietal pericardium?
The outer layer that anchors heart
What is the visceral pericardium?
The inner layer that secretes fluid
What is the fluid between the pericardium layers?
It is serosa and allows friction free movement
What are the 3 layers of the wall of the heart?
From closest to heart to furthest- Endocardium, myocardium and epicardium
What is the coronary sulcus?
A groove on the heart that divides the heart into left and right.
What are the chambers of the heart?
The right and left hand side which is divided into 4 chambers. Right atrium, Right ventricle, Left atrium, Left ventricle.
What are the chambers of the heart separated by?
They are separated by septa which is interatrial septa for the atriums and interventricular for the ventricles.
Which parts of the heart have thicker walls?
The ventricles have thicker walls as they have to pump blood up using more energy
Which chamber has the thickest wall and why?
The left ventricle as it has to force blood into aorta and through thousands of blood vessels all around the body
What are the walls of the ventricles lined with?
Ridges of muscles called trabeculae
What does the coronary sinus do?
Return blood to the heart that has supplied the heart wall itself
What are the valves of the heart?
The AV (atrioventrical) and the Aortic and Pulmonary valves