Heart Anatomy and Circulation

Vocabulary flashcards covering heart anatomy, chambers, blood flow, heart valves, circulations, and layers of the heart.

Right Side of Heart

The side of the heart whose purpose is to take deoxygenated blood from the body and send it to the lungs.

Left Side of Heart

The side of the heart whose purpose is to take oxygenated blood from the lungs and send it to the body.

Atrium

Top chamber of the heart that receives blood; it is smaller, less muscular, and has thinner walls.

Right Atrium

Top right chamber that receives deoxygenated blood from the body via the superior and inferior vena cava.

Left Atrium

Top left chamber that receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins.

Ventricle

Bottom chamber of the heart that pumps blood out; it is larger, more muscular, and has thicker walls.

Right Ventricle

Bottom right chamber that sends deoxygenated blood to the lungs via the pulmonary artery.

Left Ventricle

Bottom left chamber that sends oxygenated blood to the body via the aorta.

Pulmonary Artery

Vessel leaving the right side of the heart to go to the lungs; it is the only artery in the body that carries deoxygenated blood.

Pulmonary Veins

Vessels bringing blood into the left side of the heart from the lungs; they are the only veins that carry oxygenated blood.

Aorta

Main vessel through which oxygenated blood leaves the left side of the heart to go to the body.

Superior and Inferior Vena Cava

Veins through which deoxygenated blood comes from the body into the right side of the heart.

Valve

Structure located on each side of the heart and at exit points whose purpose is to keep blood flowing in one direction.

Tricuspid Valve

Valve with 3 flaps located between the right atrium and right ventricle.

Mitral/Bicuspid Valve

Valve with 2 flaps located between the left atrium and left ventricle.

Pulmonary Semilunar Valve

Valve located at the exit point of the right side leading to the pulmonary artery.

Aortic Semilunar Valve

Valve located at the exit point of the left side leading to the aorta.

Apex

The tip of the heart.

Cardiopulmonary Circulation

Circulation pathway of blood going from heart to lungs to heart.

Systematic Circulation

Circulation pathway of blood going body to heart to lungs to heart to body.

Pericardium

Outermost layer surrounding the heart made of a double layer of fibrous tissue (labeled epicardium in diagram).

Myocardium

Middle layer of the heart containing the muscle of the heart.

Endocardium

Innermost layer of the heart that provides a smooth inner lining.

Septum

Internal dividing wall structure located between the left and right sides of the heart.