Cardiovascular System Anatomy

from Nurse HUB

Aorta

The largest artery in the body. It begins at the top of the left ventricle and carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body through the aortic valve.

Inferior Vena Cava

A large vein that transports deoxygenated blood from the abdomen and lower extremities back to the right side of the heart. It is the largest vein in the body, running alongside the aorta and entering the right atrium.

Left Atrium

A heart chamber that receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and sends it into the left ventricle.

Mitral Valve

A heart valve with two flaps that controls blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, ensuring one-way movement of blood.

Pulmonary Artery

The artery that carries oxygen-poor blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs.

Pulmonary System (Pulmonary Circulation)

The closed circuit in which blood travels from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation and back to the heart.

Pulmonary Valve

A one-way valve located in the right ventricle that opens into the pulmonary artery and prevents blood from flowing back into the heart.

Right Atrium

A heart chamber that receives oxygen-poor blood from the body and sends it into the right ventricle.

Right Ventricle

A heart chamber that pumps oxygen-poor blood to the lungs through the pulmonary valve.

Superior Vena Cava

A large vein that returns deoxygenated blood from the head, neck, arms, and chest to the heart.

Systemic System (Systemic Circulation)

The pathway that moves oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body (excluding the lungs) and returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

Tricuspid Valve

A three-flapped heart valve that allows blood to flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle and prevents backflow.

What is the aorta and what does it do?

The largest artery in the body; it carries oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle to the body.

What is the function of the inferior vena cava?

It brings deoxygenated blood from the abdomen and lower body back to the right side of the heart

What does the left atrium do?

Receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and sends it to the left ventricle.

What is the role of the left ventricle?

Pumps oxygen-rich blood out to the body.

What is the mitral valve’s purpose?

Controls one-way blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle.

What does the pulmonary artery carry?

Oxygen-poor blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs

What is pulmonary circulation?

Blood flow from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart.

What is the pulmonary valve and what does it do

A one-way valve in the right ventricle that opens into the pulmonary artery and prevents backflow.

What is the function of the right atrium?

Receives oxygen-poor blood from the body and sends it to the right ventricle.

What does the right ventricle do?

Pumps oxygen-poor blood to the lungs through the pulmonary valve.

What is the role of the superior vena cava?

Returns deoxygenated blood from the head, neck, arms, and chest to the heart.

What is systemic circulation?

Blood flow from the heart to the body (excluding the lungs) and back to the heart.

What is the tricuspid valve’s role?

Allows blood to flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle and prevents backflow.

Which structure carries oxygen-rich blood to the body?

Aorta

Which chamber receives blood from the lungs?

Left Atrium

Which valve sits between the right atrium and right ventricle?

Tricuspid valve

Which vessel carries blood from the lower body to the heart?

Inferior vena cava

Which chamber pumps blood to the lungs?

Right ventricle

Which valve opens into the pulmonary artery?

Pulmonary valve

Which circulation route moves blood through the body (not lungs)?

Systemic system

Carries deoxygenated blood from upper body to hear

Superior vena cava 

Controls flow from right atrium to right ventricle

Tricuspid valve

Receives oxygen-poor blood from the body

Right atrium

Pumps blood to the lungs

Right ventricle

Path of blood between heart and lungs

Pulmonary system

Carries blood from right side of heart to lungs

Pulmonary artery

Controls flow from left atrium to left ventricle

Mitral valve

Largest artery; sends oxygen-rich blood to body

Aorta

Receives oxygen-rich blood from lungs

Left atrium 

Pumps oxygen-rich blood to body

Left ventricle 

Controls flow from right ventricle into pulmonary artery

Pulmonary valve

Circulation to body (not lungs)

Systemic system

Carries deoxygenated blood from lower body to heart

Inferior vena cava

What is the main function of the cardiovascular system?

To deliver oxygenated blood to the body’s tissues.

Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system’s main role is to deliver oxygenated blood to the body’s tissues.

What are the main components of the cardiovascular system?

The heart and blood vessels.

How much blood does the heart pump each day in an average adult?

About 1900 gallons per day.

Why is the heart considered a vital organ?

Because life is endangered if it stops beating even for a few moments.

What is the primary role of the cardiovascular system?

To deliver oxygenated blood to tissues

What structures make up the cardiovascular system?

Heart and blood vessels

Approximately how much blood does the heart pump daily?

1900 gallons

Why is the heart essential for survival?

Life is at risk if it stops beating briefly

Pulmonary Circuit

The pathway of blood from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart.

Systemic Circuit

The pathway of blood from the heart to the rest of the body and back to the heart.

What is the pulmonary circuit?

The pathway of blood from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart.

Which side of the heart pumps blood into the pulmonary circuit?

The right side of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

What happens to blood in the lungs during the pulmonary circuit?

It receives oxygen (is oxygenated).

Where does blood go after returning from the pulmonary circuit?

It returns to the left side of the heart.

What is the systemic circuit?

The pathway of blood from the heart to the rest of the body and back.

Which side of the heart pumps blood into the systemic circuit?

The left side of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the body.

Where does deoxygenated blood go after completing the systemic circuit?

It returns to the right side of the heart.

What is the primary function of the pulmonary circuit?

Exchange gases in the lungs

Which side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs?

Right side

Where does freshly oxygenated blood go after leaving the lungs?

Left side of the heart

Which circuit delivers oxygenated blood to the body?

Systemic circuit

Which side of the heart receives deoxygenated blood after the systemic circuit?

Right side

What are the two main jobs of the heart?

To pump deoxygenated blood to the lungs and oxygenated blood to the body.

Which side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs?

The right side.

Which side of the heart pumps blood to the rest of the body?

The left side

Why is the job of the left side harder than the right side?

Because it must push blood farther to the entire body.

Why is the right side of the heart’s job easier?

Because the lungs are close to the heart

Why is the left side of the heart larger than the right side?

Because it needs to generate more force to pump blood throughout the body.

What does the right side of the heart do?

Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs

Why is the left side of the heart larger?

It has more muscle to pump blood farther

Which side of the heart performs the easier job?

Right side

What is the main function of the left side of the heart?

Pump oxygenated blood to the body

Where is the adult heart located?

In the thoracic cavity, in an area called the mediastinum.

What structures are found in the mediastinum?

Heart, esophagus, trachea, vessels, nerves, and membranes surrounding the heart.

What membrane must be removed to reveal the heart?

The parietal pericardium.

What is the general shape of the heart?

A blunt cone

What is the approximate size of the heart?

About the size of a fist.

What is the apex of the heart?

The pointed end of the heart cone that points downward and slightly to the left.

What is the base of the heart?

The broad end of the heart, opposite the apex.

Where is the adult heart located?

Thoracic cavity, mediastinum

Which structure must be removed to see the heart?

Parietal pericardium

The heart is roughly the size of:

A fist

The apex of the heart points:

Downward and left

Which side of the thoracic cavity contains more of the heart?

Left

The heart extends from:

Second rib to fifth intercostal space

Thoracic Cavity

The chest cavity that houses the heart, lungs, and other structures.

Mediastinum

The central area of the thoracic cavity containing the heart, esophagus, trachea, vessels, nerves, and surrounding membranes.

Parietal Pericardium

The outer membrane surrounding the heart; removing it reveals the heart itself.

How many chambers does the heart have?

Four chambers.

Which chambers of the heart receive blood?

The atria

Which chambers pump blood out of the heart?

The ventricles.

How are the chambers arranged on each side of the heart?

Each side has one atrium and one ventricle.

What separates the atria?

The interatrial septum.

What is the fossa ovalis?

A small indentation in the interatrial septum, a remnant of the fetal foramen ovale.