Cardiovascular System Anatomy Quiz

Study Notes

Description: The heart is a hollow muscular organ, pyramidal in shape, with its base superior and apex inferior
Position: Located in the middle of the chest cavity, between the lungs, with the apex pointing to the left
Relations:
- Anterior: Sternum and ribs
- Posterior: Esophagus, aorta, and vertebral column
- Inferior: Diaphragm
- Each side: The lungs
- Covered by a membrane called the pericardium
Pericardium: A double serous membrane that surrounds and protects the heart, formed of 3 parts;
- Visceral pericardium (inner layer)
- Parietal pericardium (outer layer)
- The layer in-between facilitates heart movement

The Heart has 4 chambers: 2 atria and 2 ventricles
- The atria (right and left) are receiving chambers for blood, separated by the interatrial septum
- The ventricles (right and left) are pumping chambers for blood, separated by the interventricular septum
- Each of the openings between the atria and ventricles are guarded by a valve that allows blood flow from atria to ventricles and not reverse

Deoxygenated blood from the body enters the right atrium via the superior and inferior vena cava
The blood flows through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle
From the right ventricle, the blood is pumped through the pulmonary valve into the pulmonary arteries and to the lungs
Oxygenated blood from the lungs flows into the left atrium via the pulmonary veins
The blood flows through the mitral valve into the left ventricle
From the left ventricle, the blood is pumped through the aortic valve into the aorta to the body

The heart has an apex, base and 2 surfaces
- The apex is formed by the left ventricle, and lies at the 5th intercostal space (palpable)
- The base is formed primarily by the left atrium, and a small part of the right atrium

Sternocostal Surface (Anterior): Primarily formed by right atrium, right ventricle, and small portion of left ventricle
Diaphragmatic Surface (Inferior): Primarily formed by the left ventricle and a small portion of the right ventricle

Right Atrium: Receives blood from the superior & inferior vena cava, and coronary sinus (blood from the heart)
Left Atrium: Receives blood from the pulmonary veins
Right Ventricle: Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs
- Contains 3 papillary muscles that connect via chordae tendineae to the cusps of the tricuspid valve
Left Ventricle: Pumps oxygenated blood to the body
- Contains 2 papillary muscles

Atrioventricular Valves (AV Valves)
- Right AV valve (tricuspid valve)
- Left AV valve (mitral/bicuspid valve)
Semilunar Valves
- Pulmonary semilunar valve
- Aortic semilunar valve

Right coronary artery: Supplies most of the right side of the heart
Left coronary artery: Supplies the left side of the heart, and a small portion of the right side

Arteries: Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, thicker walls, no valves
Arterioles: Small branches from arteries
Capillaries: Connect arterioles to venules, allowing gas and nutrient exchange between blood and tissues
Venules:Begin from capillaries containing waste products of tissues and carry blood to veins
Veins: Carry deoxygenated blood to the heart, thinner walls, contain valves to prevent backflow