General Anatomy BMS 112: Cardiovascular System

Course Information

• Faculty of Dentistry
• Course Code: BMS 112
• Course Name: General Anatomy
• University: Gala University
• Powered by Arizona State University

Cardiovascular System

• The cardiovascular system (CVS) consists of the heart and blood vessels.
• The heart is located behind the sternum and between the 2nd and 6th costal cartilages.
• It's positioned slightly to the left of the middle line, with about two-thirds of the heart situated to the left. One-third is located to the right.
• The heart has 4 chambers: 2 atria and 2 ventricles.
• The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body.
• The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs.
• The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
• The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the body.
• Valves regulate blood flow within the heart:
  • The right atrium to RV: tricuspid valve
  • The left atrium to LV: mitral valve
  • The right ventricle to pulmonary artery: pulmonary valve
  • The left ventricle to aorta: aortic valve

Circulation of Blood

• Blood circulation includes systemic, pulmonary, and portal circulations.
• Systemic Circulation: Oxygenated blood from the left ventricle travels to the body through the aorta, delivering oxygen and nutrients, then returning deoxygenated blood to the right atrium via the superior and inferior vena cava.
• Pulmonary Circulation: Deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle travels to the lungs via the pulmonary artery, where it picks up oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. Oxygenated blood returns to the left atrium via pulmonary veins.
• Portal Circulation: Blood from the gastrointestinal tract travels to the liver via the portal vein for processing before returning to the general circulation via the hepatic veins emptying into the inferior vena cava

Blood Vessels

• Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body. (Except the pulmonary artery which carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs)
• Veins carry deoxygenated blood from the body to the heart. (Except the pulmonary veins which carry oxygenated blood from the lungs)

Differences between arteries and veins

• Arteries:
  • Pulsate
  • Thick walls, narrow lumen
  • High blood pressure
  • Most do not have valves
• Veins:
  • Do not pulsate
  • Thin walls, wide lumen
  • Low blood pressure
  • Most have valves

Special Considerations

• Anastomosis: Connections between arteries. This maintains blood flow if main artery is obstructed. End arteries do not anastomose, obstruction of these arteries result in tissue death.
• Wavy Arteries: Arteries that supply movable organs are wavy to accommodate movement.
• Expansile organs arteries: Arteries that supply organs that change size, e.g., uterus during pregnancy, or tongue during speech.

Important Terms/MCQs

• The blood moves from the left atrium to the left ventricle through the mitral valve.
• The heart has four chambers, 2 atria and 2 ventricles.

This quiz covers key concepts of the cardiovascular system under the General Anatomy course at Gala University. It includes the structure of the heart, its chambers, and the flow of blood through the heart. Test your knowledge on the function and regulation of the heart within the human body.