Heart Blood Flow

Flow of the Heart

• Superior Vena Cava

  • Function: Receives deoxygenated blood from the body's upper regions.
  • Pathway: Blood enters the heart through this large vein.

• Right Atrium

  • Function: Acts as a holding chamber for blood coming from the superior vena cava.
  • Next Step: Blood moves through the tricuspid valve.

• Tricuspid Valve

  • Function: Ensures one-way flow of blood from the right atrium to the right ventricle.
  • Characteristics: Composed of three flaps (cusps).

• Right Ventricle

  • Function: Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs via the pulmonary valve.
  • Next Valve: Blood flows into the pulmonary valve.

• Pulmonary Valve

  • Function: Controls blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary arteries.
  • Direction: Blood moves toward the lungs.

• Pulmonary Arteries

  • Function: Carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
  • Process: In the lungs, blood releases carbon dioxide and absorbs oxygen.

• Pulmonary Veins

  • Function: Return oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.
  • Enters: Blood comes back through the left atrium.

• Left Atrium

  • Function: Receives oxygen-rich blood from the pulmonary veins.
  • Next Step: Blood passes through the mitral valve.

• Mitral Valve

  • Function: Ensures blood flows from the left atrium to the left ventricle without backflow.
  • Characteristics: Consists of two flaps (bicuspid).

• Left Ventricle

  • Function: Pumps oxygenated blood to the aorta.
  • Next Valve: Blood moves through the aortic valve.

• Aortic Valve

  • Function: Controls blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta.
  • Importance: Maintains pressure within the aortic arch.

• Aorta

  • Function: The largest artery in the body, distributing oxygenated blood throughout the body.
  • Branches Out: Sends blood to various organs and tissues via smaller arteries.