Circulatory System - Heart

What is the study of the heart and its disorders?

cardiology

What is the heart?

a hollow muscular organ that lies slightly to the left of the mid-line of the chest that pumps blood throughout the circulatory system

What is the approximate size of the heart?

the size of a closed fist

What is the name of the membrane that protects and holds the heart in place?

pericardium

What are the 3 layers of the heart wall?

epicardium, myocardium, endocardium

What is the epicardium?

the thin, transparent outer layer of the wall that consists of muscles tissue

What is the myocardium?

the middle layer that consists of muscle, it makes up the majority of the heart, and is responsible for the pumping action of the heart

What is the endocardium?

the thin inner layer of epithelial tissue that lines the inside of the myocardium and covers the valves of the heart

What are the upper 2 chambers of the heart called?

left and right atria

What is the name of the thin partition between the left and right atria?

interatrial septum

What are the lower 2 chambers of the heart called?

left and right ventricles

What is the name of the thin partition between the left and right ventricles?

interventricular septum

What is the superior vena cava?

it brings in blood from parts of the body above the heart

What is the inferior vena cava?

it brings blood from parts below the heart

What is the function of the valves of the heart?

to contract and force blood into a ventricle or out of the heart and to prevent blood from flowing backwards

How many valves are in the heart?

4

What are the names of the valves of the heart?

tricuspid, bicuspid (mitral), pulmonary, aortic

What is the name of the valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle?

tricuspid valve

Which 3 valves contain 3 flaps?

tricuspid, pulmonary, aortic

Which valve contains 2 flaps?

bicuspid (mitral)

What is the name of the valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle?

bicuspid (mitral)

What is the name of the valve that lies in the opening where the pulmonary trunk leaves the right ventricle?

pulmonary

What is the name of the valve that is situated near the opening between the left ventricle and the aorta?

aortic

What are the 5 types of blood vessels?

arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, veins

What do arteries do?

they carry blood away from the heart to body tissues

What are the 2 largest arteries?

aorta and pulmonary artery

What do arterioles do?

carry blood away from the heart to body tissues

What do capillaries do?

carry blood to tissues/organs

What do venules do?

carry blood away from the tissue/organ back to the heart

What are veins?

larger vessels that carry blood back to the heart