Anatomy and Circulation of the Heart

Parietal pericardium

the outer layer of the pericardium, a sac-like structure surrounding the heart

Visceral pericardium or Epicardium

the portion that covers the heart

Epicardium

the outer layer of the heart wall

Myocardium

the thick, middle, muscular layer that does the pumping

Endocardium

the innermost layer of tissue that lines the chambers

Atria (atrium)

the top chamber(s) where blood comes into the heart

Ventricles

the bottom chambers that pump blood out of the heart

Interventricular septum

the wall that separates the left and right ventricles

Tricuspid (right atrioventricular) valve

a valve on the right side that keeps blood moving forward

Bicuspid (left atrioventricular, mitral) valve

a valve on the left side that keeps blood moving forward

Pulmonary (right semilunar) valve

controls blood flow from the right side to the lung

Aortic (left semilunar) valve

controls blood flow from the left side to the body

Pulmonary arteries and veins

arteries take blood to the lungs; veins bring it back to the heart

Systemic circulation

Arteries

Aortic arch

the curved part of the main artery from the heart

Brachiocephalic trunk

first branch that splits to supply the right side of the head and arm

Right common carotid

takes blood to the right side of the head

Right subclavian

takes blood to the right arm

Brachial

main artery in the upper arm

Radial

runs along the thumb side of the forearm

Ulnar

runs along the pinky side of the forearm

Left common carotid

sends blood to the left side of the head

Left subclavian

sends blood to the left arm, just like the right side

Abdominal aorta

big artery that runs through your abdomen

Celiac trunk

supplies the stomach, liver, and spleen

Superior mesenteric

supplies most of the small intestine

Inferior mesenteric

supplies the end of the large intestine

Common iliac (R,L)

main arteries that go to the legs

External iliac (R,L)

continue into the thighs

Femoral (R,L)

main artery in the upper legs

Anterior tibial (R,L)

supplies the front of the lower leg

Foramen ovale

a hole between the upper chambers in a baby's heart (closes after birth)

Umbilical arteries

carry blood away from the baby to the placenta

Umbilical vein

brings oxygen-rich blood from the placenta to the baby

Placenta

where the baby gets oxygen and nutrients from mom

Umbilical Cord

the cord that connects the baby to the placenta

Right coronary artery

brings blood to the right side of the heart

Left coronary artery

brings blood to the left side of the heart

Coronary sinus

a big vein that collects used blood from the heart muscle

Superior vena cava

brings blood from the upper body to the heart

Brachiocephalic veins (R,L)

large veins that form the superior vena cava

Internal jugular (R,L)

brings blood from the brain and face

Subclavian (R,L)

bring blood from the arms

Brachial (R,L)

veins in the upper arms

Radial veins (R,L)

on the thumb side of the forearm

Ulnar veins (R,L)

on the pinky side of the forearm

Inferior vena cava

brings blood from the lower body to the heart

Hepatic portal system

sends blood from the intestines to the liver first

Superior mesenteric

drains blood from the small intestine

Inferior mesenteric

drains blood from the large intestine

Common iliac (R,L)

large veins that come up from the legs

External iliac (R,L)

continue into the pelvis

Great saphenous (R,L)

long, surface-level leg veins

Femoral (R,L)

large veins in the thighs

Anterior tibial (R,L)

veins in the front of the lower legs