Heart Anatomy and Circulation

Vocabulary flashcards covering the major blood vessels, chambers of the heart, and circulation pathway based on the lecture notes.

Vena cava

The body's largest vein, where deoxygenated blood flows from the body into the heart.

Right atrium

A heart chamber that contracts to receive and pass along deoxygenated blood from the vena cava.

Right ventricle

A heart chamber that contracts to pump blood into the pulmonary artery toward the lungs.

Pulmonary artery

A blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs to become oxygenated.

Left atrium

A heart chamber that receives blood from the pulmonary vein and, once full, contracts to pump blood into the left ventricle.

Left ventricle

A heart chamber that contracts to pump oxygenated blood into the aorta.

Aorta

The body's largest artery; distributes blood to body tissues for gas and nutrient exchange.

Coronary arteries

Branches of the aorta that ensure the heart muscle tissue receives all the oxygen and nutrients needed to keep contracting.