Heart Structure and Function Quiz

Heart Structure and Function

• The heart is a muscular pump enclosed in a double-layered sac called the pericardium.
• The heart has four chambers: two atria (auricles) and two ventricles.
• The left side of the heart pumps oxygenated blood, while the right side pumps deoxygenated blood.
• A septum separates the left and right sides to prevent blood mixing.
• Valves (tricuspid and bicuspid) regulate blood flow between the chambers.

Heart Cycle

• Blood enters the lungs through the pulmonary artery, where it picks up oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.
• Oxygenated blood returns to the heart via pulmonary veins, entering the left atrium.
• The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the body through arteries.
• Deoxygenated blood returns to the heart through veins and enters the right atrium.
• The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs through the pulmonary artery.
• This cycle repeats continuously.

Heart Contractions and Heartbeat

• Heart muscle contracts and relaxes in a rhythmic pattern called systole (contraction) and diastole (relaxation).
• One complete contraction and relaxation cycle is a heartbeat.
• Normal resting heart rate for an adult is 72-80 beats per minute.
• Heart rate increases during physical activity due to the increased oxygen demand by the body.

Listening to Heartbeat

• A stethoscope is a medical instrument that amplifies heart sounds.
• A stethoscope consists of a chest piece, ear pieces, and connecting tubing.
• Doctors use a stethoscope to listen to the heartbeat.
• Listening to heart sounds allows doctors to assess the health of the heart.