Heart Structure and Function

Arteries

are oxygenated except pulmonary, carry blood away from the heart to the lungs and other parts of the body, and thicker with more muscles to withstand pressure

Veins

are deoxygenated except pulmonary, carry blood away from the lungs and other parts of the body to the heart, and valves in large veins

Cappilaries

are very small and thin vessels, connect arteries and veins, and location of transfer of nutrients, wastes and gases → Diffusion

Valves

prevent blood from flowing back

Septum

a muscular wall that separates the right and left side of the heart

Chordae Tendineae

Are thin strands of connective tissue that anchor the leaflets of each Aortic Valve so that they cannot open into the atrium, thus allowing backflow of blood into the atrium

Right Atrium

recieves deoxygenated blood that has already been circulated around the body

Left Atrium

recieves oxygenated blood from the lungs and then empties the blood into the left ventricle

Superior Vena Cava

carries deoxygenated blood from the head, neck, arms and chest

Aorta

carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the rest of the body

Pulmonary Artery

transports deoxygenated blood to the lungs

Pulmonary Vein

transports oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atria of the heart

Bicuspid Valve

keeps blood flow in right direction by opening and closing flaps during each heartbeat

Aortic Valve

keeps blood flow in the correct direction through the heart

Left Ventricle

pumps oxygenated blood out to the body

Right Ventricle

pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs

Inferior Vena Cava

carries deoxygenated blood from the legs, feet, and organs in the abdomen and pelvis

Tricuspid Valve

controls the flow of deoxygenated blood from your heart's right atrium to the right ventricle

Pulmonary Valve

prevents back flow of deoxygenated blood from the pulmonary artery back into the Right Ventricle