The Heart

Aorta

It is the largest artery in the body. It carries and distributes oxygenated rich blood to all arteries from the left ventricle of the heart to all of the body except the lungs. Most major arteries branch off from the aorta, with the exception of the main pulmonary artery.

Aortic Semilunar Valve

A valve located in the aorta that prevents the backflow of blood to the left ventricle. The valves help ensure a one-way blood flow through the heart and seperate the left ventricle from the aorta.

Pulmonary Semilunar Valve

A valve located between the pulmonary artery and the right ventricle, which function is to prevent the back flow of the blood as it is pumped from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery. As compared to the atrioventricular valves, this smaller valve has self-supporting cusps with no chordae tendinae or papillary muscles. When closed, the 3 symmetrical cusps support one another.

Inferior Vena Cava

Brings de-oxygenated blood from the lower body regions (legs, back, abdomen, and pelvis) to the right atrium. It travels along the spine and transports blood from the lower extremities of the body to the posterior region of the right atrium. One of the two largest veins in the body.

Superior Vena Cava

Brings de-oxygenated blood from the upper body regions(neck, head, arm, and chest) to the right atrium. It is located in the upper chest region and is formed by the joining of the brachiocephalic veins.

Right Atrium

De-oxygenated blood returns to the heart via the superior and inferior vena cava coming from the head, neck, arm, and chest (upper extermities) regions, and the legs, back, abdomen, and pelvis (lower extremities) regions. The right atrium then pumps the blood through the right atrioventricular (tricuspid) valve to the right ventricle.

Coronary Artery

The coronary arteries supply oxygenated and nutrient filled blood to the heart muscle. The coronary arteries extend from the aorta to the heart walls supplying blood to the atria, ventricles, and septum of the heart.

Myocardium

The mycocardium is the heart's muscular wall. It contracts to pump blood out of the heart, then relaxes as the heart refills with returning blood. Its outer surface is calleed the epicardium, while it's inner lining is the endocardium.

Pulmonary Veins

These four veins carry oxygenated blood to the left atrium. The left pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the left lung and returns blood to the heart to the left atrium. The right pulmonary veins carry oxygen-rich blood from the right lung and returns it to the heart.

Pulmonary Arteries

They carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs. They are one of the only arteries that carry deoxygenated blood. While most major artery extends from the right ventricle of the heart and branches into left and right pulmonary arteries. The left and right pulmonary arteries extend to the left lung and right lung.

Left Ventricle

This chamber has a much thicker muscular wall than the right(blood has to travel father through the body) and it forms the apex(tip) of the heart. It receives oxygenated blood through the left atrioventricular valve via the left atrium, and the pumps the blood through the aortic semilunar valve.

Left Atrium

This chamber receives blood from the 4 pulmonary veins and pumps blood throught the left atrioventricular (bicuspid or mitral) valve. It receives oxygenated blood via the pulmonary veins and pumps it to the left ventricle via the atrioventicular valve.

Right Ventricle

This chamber receives de-oxygenated blood through the right atrioventricular (tricuspid) valve via the right atrium. The blood then flows from the right ventricle through the pulmonary valve to the lungs via the pulmonary arteries.

Brachiocephalic Artery

This relatively short artery supplies oxygenated blood to the head, neck, and arm regions of the body. This artery connects to the aorta at the top of the aortic arch and channels a portion of the blood coming directly from the heart to the right subclaviain artery and the right common carotid artery.

Left Atrioventicular Valve (Bicuspid or Mitral Valve)

This valve has two flaps and stronger papillary muscles and chordae tendinae due to stength of the left ventricle. Oxygenated-rich blood flows through the valve from the left atrium to the left ventricle.

Right Atrioventricular Valve (Tricuspid Valve)

This valve prevents the back flow of blood as de-oxygenated blood is pumped from the right atrium to the right ventricle. It is stabilized by papillary muscles and the chordae tendinae.