Heart Anatomy and Function

Flashcards on heart anatomy and function.

Middle layer of the heart

The middle layer of the heart, containing cardiac muscle.

Number of Chambers

There are four of these in the human heart.

Great Blood Vessels

There are four of these connected to the human heart.

Heart Valves

There are four of these in the human heart.

Atria

The two core chambers towards the base of the heart.

Aorta

The great vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood.

Pulmonary Veins

Carry oxygen-rich blood to the left atrium.

Interatrial Septum

The divider between the two atria.

Superior Vena Cava

Drains blood from the brain into the right atrium.

Inferior Vena Cava

Drains blood from structures inferior to the heart into the right atrium.

Coronary Sinus

Drains blood from the coronary circuit into the right atrium.

Foramen Ovale

Oval-shaped hole in the interatrial septum.

Fossa Ovalis

Generalized depression in the bone resulting from the closure of the foramen ovale.

Atrioventricular Valves (AV Valves)

Valves located in between the atrium and the ventricle.

Papillary Muscles

Muscles within the ventricles that hold the AV valves closed.

Chordae Tendineae

Heartstrings that attach papillary muscles to the AV valves.

Trabeculae Carneae

Muscular columns located within the ventricles.

Interventricular Septum

The septum located between the two ventricles.

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)

A condition with a hole in the interatrial septum.

Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)

A condition with a hole in the interventricular septum.

Pulmonary Trunk

The vessel that carries oxygen-poor blood to the lungs.

Tricuspid Valve

The heart valve with three cusps.

Bicuspid Valve

The heart valve with two cusps, also known as the mitral valve.

Semilunar Valves

Half-moon shaped valves located at the root of the aorta.

Aortic Semilunar Valve (Aortic Valve)

The valve located at the root of the aorta.

Ventricular Relaxation

The phase when blood moves from the atrium into the ventricle.

Ventricular Contraction

The phase when blood is moved forward from the ventricles.

Right Atrium Receives Blood From

Receives blood from the superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, and coronary sinus.

Tricuspid Valve (Right Atrioventricular Valve)

The valve between the right atrium and right ventricle.

QRS Complex

Complex produced during depolarization of the ventricles on an EKG.

Pulmonary Semilunar Valve

The valve between the right ventricle and pulmonary trunk.

Pulmonary Arteries

Carry blood from the pulmonary trunk to the lungs.

Left Atrium Receives Blood

Receive blood from the four pulmonary veins.

Mitral Valve

Also known as the bicuspid or left atrioventricular valve.

Ascending Aorta

Portion of the aorta that moves blood upwards.

Aortic Arch

The arch formed at the top of the ascending aorta.

Descending Aorta

Portion of the aorta moving blood in a descending manner.

Thoracic Aorta

Part of the descending aorta located superior to the diaphragm.

Abdominal Aorta

Part of the descending aorta located inferior to the diaphragm.

Right Marginal Artery

The artery running along the right margin of the heart.

Posterior Interventricular Artery

The artery on the posterior surface between the ventricles.

Anterior Interventricular Artery

Artery on the anterior face between the right and left ventricles.

Circumflex Artery

Branch of the left coronary artery that makes its way to the left margin of the heart.

Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)

Associated with occlusion of small blood vessels, leading to muscle death.

Occlusion of the Anterior Interventricular Artery

The most common cause of a heart attack.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

Surgical procedure to bypass a blocked coronary artery.

Drainage of Muscles

Removes carbon dioxide from the heart.

Great Cardiac Vein

A vein running parallel to the anterior interventricular artery.

Posterior Vein of the Left Ventricle

A vein that parallels the left marginal artery.

Small Cardiac Vein

A vein that parallels the right marginal artery.

Middle Cardiac Vein

A vein that parallels the posterior interventricular artery.

Coronary Sinus

Where all veins drain before draining to the right atrium.