Anatomy of the Heart Flashcards

Anatomy of the Heart

• Chordae Tendineae: Referred to as "heart strings," these structures attach to the heart's valves, anchoring them to the heart muscles and preventing them from inverting.

• Right Atrium: This chamber receives deoxygenated blood from the body via the venae cavae.

• Base vs. Apex: The base of the heart is located at the top and houses the major vessels, while the apex is the pointed tip at the lower part of the heart.

• Visceral Pericardium: Also known as the epicardium, this is the inner layer of the pericardial sac that directly covers the heart.

• First Dissection Cut: When dissecting a mammalian heart, the initial incision should be a frontal or coronal section for effective examination.

• Deoxygenated Blood Return: Blood without oxygen returns to the heart through the superior vena cava, one of the primary veins.

• Tricuspid Valve: This valve prevents the backflow of blood from the right ventricle to the right atrium during contractions.

• Coronary Circulation: The right coronary artery is a key vessel involved in supplying blood to the heart muscle itself.

• Fossa Ovalis: This structure is the remnant of the foramen ovale, an opening that existed in fetal circulation allowing blood to bypass the lungs.

• Interventricular Septum: A muscular wall separating the right and left ventricles, crucial for maintaining functionality in the heart chambers.

• Cardiac Muscle Fibers: Characterized as branched, uninucleated cells that contain intercalated discs, which facilitate coordinated contractions.

• Striations in Cardiac Muscle: These are due to the arrangement of actin and myosin proteins, which create a banded appearance.

• Intercalated Discs: Function to provide tensile strength via desmosomes and allow for communication through gap junctions, crucial for synchronized heart contractions.

• Blood Flow from Left Ventricle: A drop of blood will exit the left ventricle through the aortic semilunar valve into the aorta.

• Path from Aorta to Heart Apex: Blood from the aorta to the infero-anterior apex of the heart travels through the left coronary artery.

• Oxygenated Blood: Blood in the pulmonary vein is oxygen-rich, having just returned from the lungs.

Test your knowledge on the anatomy of the heart with these flashcards. Each card covers a key term or structure related to heart anatomy, helping you understand the various components that make up this vital organ. Ideal for students or anyone interested in learning about cardiovascular anatomy.