The mammalian heart Flashcards
septum
the thick muscular dividing wall through the centre of the heart that prevents oxygenated and deoxygenated blood from mixing
cardiac muscle
the special muscle tissue of the heart, which has an intrinsic rhythm and does not fatigue
myoglobin
a respiratory pigment with a stronger affinity for oxygen than haemoglobin
right atrium
the upper right-hand chamber of the heart the receives deoxygenated blood from the body
right ventricle
the lower chamber that receives deoxygenated blood from the right atrium and pumps it into the lungs
tricuspid valve (atrioventricular valve)
the valve between the right atrium and right ventricle that prevents backflow of blood from the ventricle to the atrium when the ventricle contracts
tendinous cords (valve tendons, heartstrings)
cord-like tendons that make sure the valves are not turned inside-out by the large pressure exerted when the ventricles contract
pulmonary arteries
the blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood back from the lungs to the heart
pulmonary veins
the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood back from the lungs to the heart
left atrium
the upper left-hand chamber of the heart that receives oxygenated blood from the lungs
left ventricle
the chamber that receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium and pumps it around the body
bicuspid valve (atrioventricular valve)
the valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle that prevents backflow of blood into the atrium when the ventricle contracts
aorta
the main artery of the body; it leaves the left ventricle of the heart carrying oxygenated blood under high pressure
systole
the contraction of the heart
atrial systole
when the atria of the heart contract
