Anatomy of the Heart

Structure of the Heart

• The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body
• Located in the thoracic cavity, between the lungs
• Divided into four chambers:
  1. Right atrium (upper right chamber)
  2. Right ventricle (lower right chamber)
  3. Left atrium (upper left chamber)
  4. Left ventricle (lower left chamber)

Functions of the Heart

• Pumps blood throughout the body, supplying oxygen and nutrients to organs and tissues
• Receives deoxygenated blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs to be oxygenated
• Regulates blood pressure and circulation

Blood Flow Through the Heart

• Deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium through the superior and inferior vena cavae
• Blood flows from the right atrium to the right ventricle through the tricuspid valve
• Right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs through the pulmonary artery
• Oxygenated blood returns to the heart through the pulmonary veins and enters the left atrium
• Blood flows from the left atrium to the left ventricle through the mitral valve
• Left ventricle pumps blood to the rest of the body through the aorta

Heartbeat Regulation

• The heartbeat is regulated by the sinoatrial (SA) node, located in the right atrium
• The SA node produces electrical impulses that stimulate the heart to beat
• The atrioventricular (AV) node relays the electrical impulses from the SA node to the ventricles

Blood Pressure and Circulation

• The heart pumps blood at an average rate of 70-80 beats per minute
• Blood pressure is highest in the aorta and decreases as blood flows through the circulatory system
• The heart adjusts blood pressure and circulation in response to changes in the body's needs, such as during exercise or stress.

Structure of the Heart

• Located in the thoracic cavity, between the lungs
• Divided into four chambers: Right atrium, Right ventricle, Left atrium, Left ventricle

Functions of the Heart

• Pumps blood throughout the body, supplying oxygen and nutrients to organs and tissues
• Receives deoxygenated blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs to be oxygenated
• Regulates blood pressure and circulation

Blood Flow Through the Heart

• Deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium through the superior and inferior vena cavae
• Blood flows from the right atrium to the right ventricle through the tricuspid valve
• Right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs through the pulmonary artery
• Oxygenated blood returns to the heart through the pulmonary veins and enters the left atrium
• Blood flows from the left atrium to the left ventricle through the mitral valve
• Left ventricle pumps blood to the rest of the body through the aorta

Heartbeat Regulation

• The heartbeat is regulated by the sinoatrial (SA) node, located in the right atrium
• The SA node produces electrical impulses that stimulate the heart to beat
• The atrioventricular (AV) node relays the electrical impulses from the SA node to the ventricles

Blood Pressure and Circulation

• The heart pumps blood at an average rate of 70-80 beats per minute
• Blood pressure is highest in the aorta and decreases as blood flows through the circulatory system
• The heart adjusts blood pressure and circulation in response to changes in the body's needs

Explore the structure and functions of the heart, including its location, chambers, and role in pumping blood throughout the body.