heart

The pathway of blood to the heart involves several key steps:

• Deoxygenated Blood Return: Blood that is depleted of oxygen returns to the heart from the body through two major veins:
  • Superior vena cava: Drains blood from above the diaphragm.
  • Inferior vena cava: Drains blood from below the diaphragm.
• Right Atrium: Blood enters the right atrium from the venae cavae.
• Tricuspid Valve: Blood flows through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle.
• Right Ventricle: The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood through the pulmonary valve into the pulmonary arteries.
• Pulmonary Arteries: Blood travels to the lungs via the right and left pulmonary arteries.
• Lungs: In the lungs, carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen. Blood becomes oxygenated.
• Pulmonary Veins: Oxygen-rich blood returns to the heart through the pulmonary veins.
• Left Atrium: Blood enters the left atrium from the pulmonary veins.
• Mitral Valve: Blood flows through the mitral valve into the left ventricle.
• Left Ventricle: The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood out through the aortic valve into the aorta, supplying the body with fresh oxygenated blood.