The Pathway of Blood Flow Through the Heart (The Coronary Circulation)

Step #1

Blood enters right atrium from superior and inferior venae caveae.

Step #9

Blood flows through aortic valve into ascending aorta.

Step #4

Blood flows through pulmonary valve into pulmonary trunk.

Step #10

Blood in aorta is distributed to every organ in the body, where it unloads oxygen(O2) and loads carbon dioxide (CO2).

Step #7

Blood in left atrium flows through left AV valve into left ventricle.

Step #2

Blood in the right atrium flows through right atrioventricular(AV) valve into right ventricle.

Step #5

Blood is distributed by right and left pulmonary arteries to the lungs, where it unloads co2(carbon dioxide) and loads o2(oxygen).

Step #6

Blood returns from lungs via pulmonary veins to left atrium.

Step #11

Blood returns to right atrium via venae cavae.

Step #8

Contraction of the left ventricle( simultaneous with step 3) forces aortic valve to open.

Step #3

Contraction of the right ventricle forces pulmonary valve open.

Coronary Circulation

blood vessels of the heart wall.