Understanding Blood Flow Through the Heart

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to the anatomy and physiology of the heart's blood flow.

Inferior Vena Cava

Vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the right atrium.

Superior Vena Cava

Vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the right atrium.

Tricuspid Valve

Valve that allows blood to flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle.

Right Atrium

Chamber of the heart that receives deoxygenated blood from the body.

Right Ventricle

Chamber of the heart that pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs via the pulmonary arteries.

Pulmonary Arteries

Vessels that transport deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.

Pulmonary Veins

Vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart.

Left Atrium

Chamber of the heart that receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins.

Mitral Valve

Also known as the bicuspid valve, it allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle.

Left Ventricle

Chamber of the heart that pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta.

Aortic Valve

Valve that controls blood flow from the left ventricle into the aorta.

Aorta

The main artery that carries oxygenated blood to the body.

Semilunar Valves

Valves located in the pulmonary artery and aorta that prevent backflow of blood.

Atrioventricular Valves (AV valves)

Valves that separate the atria from the ventricles (including the tricuspid and mitral valves).