The Structure of the Heart

The Structure of the Heart

1. Blood Vessels

   • Aorta
     • Connected to left ventricle
     • Carries oxygenated blood to the tissues
   • Vena Cava
     • Connected to right atrium
     • Brings deoxygenated blood to the heart from the tissue
   • Pulmonary Artery
     • Connected to right ventricle
     • Carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs
   • Pulmonary Vein
     • Connected to left atrium
     • Brings oxygenated blood to the heart from the lungs

2. Chambers

   • Atria
     • Thin-walled and elastic
     • Stretches as it is filled with blood
     • Only has to pump blood a short distance to the ventricles
   • Ventricles
     • Thick, muscular wall
     • Pumps blood to the lungs or the tissues in the body
       • Right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs
         • Has a thinner muscular wall than the left ventricle.
         • Only pumps blood a short distance
       • Left ventricle pumps blood to the tissues in the body
         • Has a thicker muscular wall than the right ventricle
         • Needs to create enough pressure to pump blood to the extremities of the body
   • Both atria contract together and ventricles contract together

3. Valves

   • Atrioventricular valves
     • Left
       • Bicuspid valves
       • Located between left atrium and left ventricle
     • Right
       • Tricuspid valves
       • Located between right atrium and right ventricle
   • Semi-lunar valves
     • Left
       • Located between left ventricle and aorta
     • Right
       • Located between right ventricle and pulmonary artery