Heart Anatomy and Function

Vocabulary flashcards covering heart anatomy, chambers, valves, internal muscular structures, blood circulation pathways, and heart sounds.

Thorax

The region of the body located roughly between the neck and the belly button, housing the heart behind the rib cage and lungs.

Septum

The anatomical structure that divides the heart into the left and right chambers.

Atrium

The top chamber located on each side of the heart.

Ventricle

The bottom chamber located on each side of the heart.

Tricuspid valve

An atrioventricular valve that separates the right atrium and right ventricle.

Mitral valve (bicuspid)

An atrioventricular valve that separates the left atrium and left ventricle.

Aortic valve

A semilunar valve that separates the left ventricle from the aorta.

Pulmonic valve

A semilunar valve that separates the right ventricle from the pulmonary artery.

Trabeculae Carneae

Irregular muscles located in the ventricles of the heart.

Chordae Tendineae

Small cords that connect the heart valves to the papillary muscles.

S1 ("lub")

The first heart sound, produced when the AV valves close and blood is pushed out of the heart to the rest of the body during systole.

Systole

The phase of the heartbeat when the atrioventricular (AV) valves close and blood is pushed out of the heart to the rest of the body.

S2 ("dub")

The second heart sound, produced when the semilunar valves close and the heart fills with blood during diastole.

Diastole

The phase of the heartbeat when the semilunar valves close and the heart fills with blood.

Vena cavas

The major vessels (superior and inferior) through which blood from the body enters the heart.

Aorta

The major blood vessel through which oxygenated blood is pumped out to the rest of the body.