Heart Anatomy and Circulatory System

Vocabulary terms and definitions detailing the chambers, vessels, valves, and capillary systems of the circulatory diagram.

Capillaries in the lungs

The capillary network situated within the lungs, connecting the pulmonary artery and the pulmonary vein.

Pulmonary artery

The blood vessel that carries blood from the right side of the heart to the capillaries in the lungs.

Pulmonary vein

The blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries in the lungs back to the left atrium of the heart.

Semi-lunar valves

Flap-like heart valves located at the exits of the ventricles leading into the major arterial vessels.

Right atrium

The upper chamber on the right side of the heart that receives blood returning from the vena cava.

Left atrium

The upper chamber on the left side of the heart that receives blood arriving from the pulmonary vein.

Heart valve

Internal structures located between the atria and ventricles that maintain unidirectional blood flow within the heart.

Right ventricle

The lower muscular chamber on the right side of the heart that pumps blood outward through the pulmonary artery.

Left ventricle

The lower muscular chamber on the left side of the heart that pumps blood outward into the aorta artery.

Tendons attached to valves and heart wall

Fibrous cords within the heart that connect the heart valves directly to the heart wall.

Vena cava

The primary vein that carries blood from the capillaries in the tissues and organs of the rest of the body back to the right atrium.

Aorta artery

The main artery carrying blood pumped from the left ventricle to the capillaries in the tissues and organs of the rest of the body.

Capillaries in the tissues and organs of the rest of the body

The systemic capillary network distributing blood throughout the body's tissues and organs between the aorta artery and the vena cava.