Heart Anatomy & Blood Vessel Structure: Key Concepts for BIOL 2402

Mediastinum

The central compartment of the thoracic cavity where the heart is located.

Apex

The pointed inferior tip of the heart formed mostly by the left ventricle.

Base

The broad superior portion of the heart where the major vessels attach.

Ligamentum arteriosum

A small fibrous ligament that connects the undersurface of the aortic arch to the left pulmonary artery.

Epicardium

Our layer of the heart; the visceral layer of the serous pericardium.

Coronary sulcus

Groove separating the atria from the ventricles.

Fibrous skeleton

A dense framework of tough collagenous connective tissue that anchors the cardiac valves.

Anterior interventricular sulcus

Groove on the front of the heart.

Posterior interventricular sulcus

Groove on the back of the heart.

Interventricular septum

Thick muscular wall separating the right and left ventricles.

Left coronary artery

Supplies the left side of the heart.

Anterior interventricular (LAD)

Runs down the anterior ventricular sulcus.

Circumflex branch

Wraps around the left side of the heart.

Right coronary artery

Supplies the right atrium and the right ventricle.

Marginal branch

Branch of the right coronary artery.

Posterior interventricular

Travels in the posterior interventricular sulcus.

Great cardiac vein

Collects the blood from the anterior heart.

Middle cardiac vein

Collects the blood from the posterior ventricles.

Small cardiac vein

Drains the right side of the heart.

Coronary sinus

Large vein that empties into the right atrium.

Endocardium

The inner lining of the heart chambers.

Myocardium

The middle muscular layer.

Pericardial sac

Visceral layer directly covers and adheres to the organs.

Auricle

A conical, muscular pouch extending from the right atrium.

Superior vena cava

A large, short vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body.

Inferior vena cava

The largest vein in the human body.

Interatrial septum

The muscular and fibrous wall dividing the left and right atria.

Fossa ovalis

A shallow, oval-shaped depression situated in the lower-middle portion of the interatrial septum.

Tricuspid valve

Between the right atrium and the right ventricle.

Papillary muscle

Anchor to the tricuspid valve leaflets via fibrous strings called chordae tendineae.

Chordae tendineae

The heart strings or tendinous cords that prevent AV valves from flipping inside out.

Trabeculae carneae

Irregular muscular ridges lining the ventricles that prevent the ventricular walls from sticking together during contraction.

Septomarginal (moderator) band

A muscular bundle in the right ventricle that carries electrical impulses to promote synchronous contraction of the right ventricle.

Pulmonary trunk

Carries the deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

Pulmonary valve

Located between the right ventricle and pulmonary trunk; prevents blood from flowing back into the right ventricle.

Pulmonary arteries

The vital blood vessels that carry oxygen-poor blood away from the right side of the heart to the lungs.

Left Atrium

Receives the oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins.

Auricle - pectinate muscle

The left auricle contains pectinate muscles that help strengthen atrial contractions.

Pulmonary veins

Four pulmonary veins that return oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium.

Interatrial septum - fossa ovalis

A depression on the interatrial septum that is the remnant of the fetal foramen ovale.

Bicuspid (mitral) valve

Located between the left atrium and the left ventricle; it has 2 cusps.

No septomarginal band

A distinct, curved muscular cord found inside the right ventricle.

Aorta

The largest artery in the body that carries oxygen-rich blood to the systemic circulation.

Aortic valve

Located between the left ventricle and the aorta; it prevents blood from returning to the ventricle.

Cardiac muscle cells

Branched, striated cells with one central nucleus.

Intercalated discs

Connect cardiac muscle cells and allow electrical signals to pass rapidly.

Heart with Purkinje fibers

Specialized conduction fibers that rapidly distribute electrical impulses through the ventricles.

Ascending Aorta

Carries the oxygenated blood from the left ventricle.

Aortic Arch

Gives rise to the major arteries supplying the head and upper limbs.

Descending Aorta

Supplies the thorax, abdomen, and the lower limb.

Thoracic Aorta

Supplies structures in the chest.

Abdominal Aorta

Supplies the abdominal organs and lower limbs.

Right Brachiocephalic

Supplies the right side of the head and the right upper limbs.

Common Carotid

Supplies the brain.

External Carotid

Supplies the face, scalp, and neck.

Internal Carotid

Supplies the brain.

Vertebral

Supplies the brainstem and posterior brain.

Circle of Willis

Provides collateral circulation to the brain.

Anterior Cerebral

Supplies the medial portions of the frontal and parietal lobes.

Anterior Communicating

Connects the right and left anterior cerebral arteries.

Middle Cerebral

Supplies most of the lateral surfaces of the cerebral hemispheres.

Posterior Communicating

Connects the internal carotid and posterior cerebral arteries.

Posterior Cerebral

Supplies the occipital lobe, inferior temporal lobe, and parts of the thalamus.

Basilar

Formed by the vertebral arteries; supplies the brainstem, cerebellum, and posterior brain.

Subclavian

Supplies the upper limbs, chest, neck, and gives rise to the vertebral artery.

Axillary

Supplies the shoulder, axilla, and upper arm.

Brachial

The main artery supplying the arm; divides into the radial and ulnar arteries.

Ulnar

Supplies the medial forearm and contributes to blood supply of the hand.

Radial

Supplies the lateral forearm and contributes to blood supply of the hand.

Palmar Arch

Supplies blood to the palm and fingers.

Digital Branches

Supply oxygenated blood to the fingers.

Intercostal

Supplies the intercostal muscles and chest wall.

Phrenic

Supplies the diaphragm.

Celiac Trunk

Supplies the stomach, liver, spleen, pancreas, and upper duodenum.

Gastric

Supplies the stomach.

Hepatic

Supplies oxygenated blood to the liver.

Splenic

Supplies the spleen, pancreas, and part of the stomach.

Superior Mesenteric

Supplies most of the small intestine and the first half of the large intestine.

Suprarenal

Supplies the adrenal (suprarenal) glands.

Renal

Supplies the kidneys.

Gonadal (testicular/ovarian)

Supplies the testes in males or ovaries in females.

Inferior Mesenteric

Supplies the distal large intestine, including the descending and sigmoid colon.

Common Iliac

Supplies the pelvis and lower limbs through its branches.

External Iliac

Supplies the lower limb; becomes the femoral artery.

Internal Iliac

Supplies the pelvic organs, gluteal region, and perineum.

Femoral

Main artery supplying the thigh and lower limb.

Popliteal

Supplies the knee joint and lower leg.

Anterior Tibial

Supplies the anterior compartment of the leg and continues as the dorsalis pedis artery.

Dorsalis Pedis

Supplies the dorsum (top) of the foot.

Posterior Tibial

Supplies the posterior leg and plantar surface of the foot.

Fibular (peroneal)

Supplies the lateral compartment of the leg and surrounding muscles.

Dural Sinuses (Superior sagittal, Inferior sagittal, Transverse)

Drain venous blood from the brain into the internal jugular veins.

Internal Jugular

Drains blood from the brain, face, and neck.

External Jugular

Drains blood from the scalp and superficial face and neck.

Brachiocephalic

Drains blood from the head, neck, upper limbs, and chest into the superior vena cava.

Cephalic

Superficial vein that drains the lateral arm and forearm.

Median Cubital

Connects the cephalic and basilic veins; common site for venipuncture.

Basilic

Superficial vein that drains the medial arm and forearm.

Venous Arch

Drains blood from the hand into the radial and ulnar veins.

Hepatic Portal

Carries nutrient-rich blood from the digestive organs to the liver.