Heart unit

What is the cardiovascular system?

A closed circulatory system made up of the heart and blood vessels.

What does a closed system mean in the context of the cardiovascular system?

Blood remains inside the heart and blood vessels (not exposed to the external environment).

What are the main components of the cardiovascular system?

Heart and blood vessels.

What are some functions of the cardiovascular system?

Transport oxygen, transport nutrients, remove carbon dioxide, remove waste products, and transport hormones.

Where is the heart located?

In the inferior mediastinum, flanked by the right and left lungs, resting on the diaphragm.

What is the orientation of the apex of the heart?

The apex points toward the left hip and rests on the diaphragm.

What is the orientation of the base of the heart?

The base points toward the right shoulder and is where major blood vessels attach.

What is the function of the pericardium?

Protects the heart and reduces friction.

What are the two layers of the pericardium?

Parietal pericardium (outer serous layer) and visceral pericardium (inner serous layer, also called epicardium).

What is found between the parietal and visceral pericardium?

Serous fluid, which reduces friction as the heart beats.

What are the three layers of the heart wall?

Epicardium (outermost), myocardium (middle, thickest), and endocardium (innermost).

What is the function of the atria in the heart?

Receive blood returning to the heart.

What is the function of the ventricles in the heart?

Pump blood out of the heart.

What type of blood does the right atrium receive?

Deoxygenated blood.

What type of blood does the left atrium receive?

Oxygenated blood.

Where does the right ventricle pump blood?

To the lungs.

Where does the left ventricle pump blood?

To the rest of the body, and it has the thickest myocardium.