Unit 3 - Structure and anatomy of the heart

Question 1

Outline the movement of blood through the heart

Answer 1

-vena cava into right atrium
-through tricuspid AV valve
-right ventricle
-semi-lunar valves
-pulmonary artery
-lungs
-pulmonary veins
-mitral value
-left atrium
-left ventricle
-aortic valve
-aorta

Question 2

What is the heart made out of?

Answer 2

Cardiac muscle

Question 3

What is the difference between cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle?

Answer 3

Cardiac muscle does not get fatigued and need to rest

Question 4

Why is the heart described as a double pump?

Answer 4

-blood is pumped through the heart twice
-first time deoxygenated blood is pumped to lungs
-Second time oxygenated blood is pumped to the body

Question 5

What is the function of the coronary arteries?

Answer 5

Supply the heart muscle with oxygen and glucose in order to keep it contracting and relaxing all the time

Question 6

Is the wall of the left ventricle thicker than the right?

Answer 6

Yes

Question 7

Why is the wall of the right ventricle thinner than the wall of the left ventricle?

Answer 7

-the right side only has to pump blood to the lungs which are close to the heart
-right side must only overcome resistance of the pulmonary circulation

Question 8

Why is the wall of the left ventricle thicker than the wall of the right ventricle?

Answer 8

-the left side must provide sufficient force to overcome the resistance of the aorta and arterial systems of the whole body
-left side must move the blood under pressure to all extremities of the body

Question 9

What is the function of the valves in the heart?

Answer 9

Prevent backflow of blood and so ensure efficient movement of blood