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## The Heart and Its Chambers The heart is the organ that pumps blood to different parts of the body. - The human heart is a four-chambered heart located at the center of the chest and as big as one's clenched fist. - The chambers of the heart consist of two atria and two ventricles. - The heart...

## The Heart and Its Chambers The heart is the organ that pumps blood to different parts of the body. - The human heart is a four-chambered heart located at the center of the chest and as big as one's clenched fist. - The chambers of the heart consist of two atria and two ventricles. - The heart chambers are partitioned by a muscular wall called the septum. ### The Atria - The atria are the receiving chambers of the heart. - The right atrium receives oxygen-poor blood coming from all parts of the body, while the left atrium receives oxygen-rich blood coming from the lungs. ### The Ventricles - The ventricles are the pumping chambers of the heart. - The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs for oxygenation, while the left ventricle pumps oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body. ## Blood Vessels and Valves Found in the Heart - Blood vessels are connected to the heart. - The vena cava, which is the largest vein, sends oxygen-poor blood back to the heart. - The vena cava has two branches: the superior vena cava, which drains blood from the head and neck region to the right atrium, and the inferior vena cava, which drains blood from the lower parts of the body to the right atrium. - The pulmonary artery sends blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for oxygenation. - The pulmonary veins send oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the left atrium. - The aorta, which is the largest artery, sends oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium to all parts of the body. - The branches of the aorta, called the coronary arteries, supply blood to the heart.