Right Side Blood Flow

Overview of Blood Flow Through the Right Side of the Heart

• The right side of the heart handles deoxygenated blood.

• The sequence of blood flow involves the atrium, ventricle, and associated valves that control the passage of blood.

1. Inflow of Deoxygenated Blood

• The process begins with veins that bring deoxygenated blood into the right atrium:

  • Superior Vena Cava:

    • Function: Transports deoxygenated blood from the upper parts of the body (head, neck, arms, etc.) to the right atrium.

    • Description: A large vein that collects blood from the upper body.

  • Inferior Vena Cava:

    • Function: Transports deoxygenated blood from the lower parts of the body (legs, abdomen, etc.) to the right atrium.

    • Description: A large vein that collects blood from the lower body.

  • Coronary Sinus:

    • Location: Found at the back of the heart, sitting in the coronary sulcus (the groove around the heart).

    • Function: Collects deoxygenated blood from the walls of the heart and releases it into the right atrium.

2. Blood Flow Through the Right Atrium

• The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood through:

  • Opening of superior vena cava.

  • Opening of inferior vena cava.

  • Opening of coronary sinus.

• Blood then moves from the right atrium through the tricuspid valve (also called the right atrioventricular valve) into the right ventricle.

3. Blood Flow From the Right Ventricle

• Upon contraction of the ventricular wall (myocardium), the following occurs:

  • The tricuspid valve closes to prevent backflow of blood into the right atrium.

  • The ventricle continues to contract, opening the pulmonary valve.

  • Blood is pushed from the right ventricle through the pulmonary valve into the pulmonary trunk.

4. Division of the Pulmonary Trunk

• The pulmonary trunk is classified as an artery because it carries blood away from the heart.

• The pulmonary trunk bifurcates into:

  • Right Pulmonary Artery:

    • Function: Carries deoxygenated blood to the right lung for oxygenation.

  • Left Pulmonary Artery:

    • Function: Carries deoxygenated blood to the left lung for oxygenation.

5. Oxygenation of Blood

• Inside the lungs, deoxygenated blood undergoes gas exchange and becomes oxygenated.

  • This oxygen-rich blood then returns to the left side of the heart (not detailed in this video).

Conclusion

• This video lays out the detailed flow of deoxygenated blood through the right side of the heart, emphasizing the major vessels and valves involved in the process. The next steps will involve the circulation of oxygenated blood through the left side of the heart, which will be discussed in a subsequent video.