Circulatory System and Heart Anatomy
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1
What are the major components of the circulatory system?
Heart, blood vessels, and blood
2
What is the main function of the heart?
Pumps blood throughout the body through blood vessels.
3
What do blood vessels deliver to body tissues?
Nutrients and oxygen
4
What does blood remove from body tissues?
Wastes
5
What is the direction of blood flow in arteries?
Away from the heart
6
What is the direction of blood flow in veins?
Toward the heart
7
Are arteries always oxygenated?
No, they are usually oxygenated.
8
Are veins always deoxygenated?
No, they are usually deoxygenated.
9
What causes blood to move through the heart?
Coordinated contraction (systole) and relaxation (diastole) of heart chambers.
10
Why is the heart called a double pump?
It pumps blood through the pulmonary and systemic circuits.
11
What is the pulmonary circuit?
Blood flow from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart.
12
What is the systemic circuit?
Blood flow from the heart to the body tissues and back to the heart.
13
What is the correct order of blood flow through the pulmonary circuit?
Right atrium → right ventricle → pulmonary trunk → pulmonary arteries → lungs → pulmonary veins → left atrium
14
What is the correct order of blood flow through the systemic circuit?
Left ventricle → aorta → body tissues → vena cavae → right atrium
15
What happens to blood at the body tissues?
It delivers oxygen and nutrients and picks up wastes.
16
What happens to blood after it passes through body tissues?
It becomes deoxygenated.
17
Where does deoxygenated blood travel after leaving body tissues?
Through the pulmonary circuit.
18
What are the upper chambers of the heart called?
Atria
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What is the singular form of atria?
Atrium
20
What is the function of the atria?
They are receiving chambers that receive blood returning to the heart.
21
How many atria does the heart have?
Two
22
What are the two atria called?
Right atrium and left atrium
23
What are the lower chambers of the heart called?
Ventricles
24
What is the function of the ventricles?
They are discharging chambers that pump blood out of the heart.
25
How many ventricles does the heart have?
Two
26
What are the two ventricles called?
Right ventricle and left ventricle
27
What is systole?
Contraction of heart chambers.
28
What is diastole?
Relaxation of heart chambers.
29
Which chamber receives blood returning from the body?
Right atrium
30
Which chamber pumps blood to the lungs?
Right ventricle
31
Which chamber receives blood returning from the lungs?
Left atrium
32
Which chamber pumps blood to the body?
Left ventricle
33
Which blood vessels carry blood from the right ventricle to the lungs?
Pulmonary arteries
34
Which blood vessels carry blood from the lungs to the left atrium?
Pulmonary veins
35
Which blood vessel carries blood from the left ventricle to the body?
Aorta
36
Which blood vessels return blood from the body to the right atrium?
Superior and inferior vena cava
37
Where is the heart located in the thorax?
Within the mediastinum of the thoracic cavity.
38
What structure is anterior to the heart?
The sternum and costal cartilage.
39
Which ribs are associated with the anterior location of the heart?
Approximately ribs 2–5.
40
Where is the heart located relative to the body's midline?
Slightly left of center.
41
What structure does the heart rest on?
The diaphragm
42
Where is the apex of the heart located?
Just left of the sternum near the 4th and 5th costal cartilages.
43
What is the approximate size of the heart?
About the size of a fist.
44
What is the approximate weight of the heart?
250–350 grams
45
Where do the great blood vessels emerge from the heart?
The base of the heart.
46
Where is the base of the heart located?
Beneath approximately the second rib.
47
In which direction does the base of the heart point?
Toward the right shoulder.
48
Which organs flank the heart laterally?
The lungs
49
Which cavities contain the lungs?
The left and right pleural cavities
50
What is the pericardium?
A triple-layered membranous sac covering the heart.
51
What are the two main layers of the pericardium?
Fibrous pericardium and serous pericardium
52
What is the outermost layer of the pericardium?
Fibrous pericardium
53
What type of connective tissue makes up the fibrous pericardium?
Dense irregular connective tissue
54
What is the serous pericardium?
The inner serous layer of the pericardium.
55
What are the two layers of the serous pericardium?
Parietal and visceral pericardium
56
What type of epithelium makes up the serous pericardium?
Simple squamous epithelium
57
Where is the parietal pericardium located?
It adheres to the fibrous pericardium.
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Where is the visceral pericardium located?
It adheres directly to the heart.
59
What is another name for the visceral pericardium?
Epicardium
60
What does epicardium mean?
Upon the heart
61
What is the pericardial cavity?
The space between the parietal and visceral pericardium.
62
What does the pericardial cavity contain?
Serous fluid
63
What is the myocardium?
The muscular layer of the heart.
64
What does myocardium mean?
Heart muscle
65
What tissue makes up the myocardium?
Cardiac muscle
66
What is the main function of the myocardium?
It contracts to pump blood.
67
What is the cardiac skeleton?
The connective tissue framework of the heart.
68
What is the endocardium?
The inner lining of the heart chambers and valves.
69
What does endocardium mean?
Within the heart
70
What type of epithelium makes up the endocardium?
Simple squamous epithelium
71
Why is the endocardium very smooth?
To help prevent blood cell damage and rupturing.
72
What are the four chambers of the heart?
Right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle
73
What does the right atrium receive?
Blood from the body through the superior and inferior vena cava.
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Where does the right atrium send blood?
The right ventricle
75
Where does the right ventricle pump blood?
To the lungs through the pulmonary artery.
76
What does the left atrium receive?
Oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins.
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Where does the left atrium send blood?
The left ventricle
78
Where does the left ventricle pump blood?
To the body through the aorta.
79
What is the main function of arteries?
Carry blood away from the heart.
80
What is the main function of veins?
Carry blood toward the heart.
81
Which major artery carries oxygenated blood to the body?
Aorta
82
Which major artery carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs?
Pulmonary trunk
83
Which arteries carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs?
Pulmonary arteries
84
Which veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs?
Pulmonary veins
85
Which veins return blood from the body to the heart?
Superior and inferior vena cava
86
How many valves does the heart have?
Four
87
What is the main function of heart valves?
Ensure one-way blood flow.
88
What are the two categories of heart valves?
Atrioventricular and semilunar valves
89
How many atrioventricular (AV) valves are there?
Two
90
What are the two AV valves?
Tricuspid and bicuspid (mitral) valves
91
Where is the right AV valve located?
Between the right atrium and right ventricle.
92
What is another name for the right AV valve?
Tricuspid valve
93
Where is the left AV valve located?
Between the left atrium and left ventricle.
94
What are the two names for the left AV valve?
Bicuspid and mitral valve
95
How many semilunar (SL) valves are there?
Two
96
What are the two semilunar valves?
Pulmonary and aortic valves
97
Where is the pulmonary semilunar valve located?
Between the right ventricle and pulmonary trunk.
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What is the function of the pulmonary semilunar valve?
Prevents backflow from the pulmonary trunk into the right ventricle.
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Where is the aortic semilunar valve located?
Between the left ventricle and aorta.
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What is the function of the aortic semilunar valve?
Prevents backflow from the aorta into the left ventricle.
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What do AV valves prevent?
Backflow of blood from the ventricles into the atria.
102
What happens to AV valves when the ventricles relax?
They become flaccid and open.
103
What happens to AV valves when the ventricles contract?
They close to prevent backflow.
104
What do semilunar valves prevent?
Backflow from the aorta and pulmonary trunk into the ventricles.
105
When do semilunar valves prevent backflow?
When the ventricles relax.
106
What are chordae tendineae?
Tendon-like structures also called heart strings.
107
Where are chordae tendineae located?
In the ventricles, attached to papillary muscles and AV valves.
108
What are papillary muscles?
Ventricular muscles attached to the chordae tendineae.
109
What is the function of chordae tendineae and papillary muscles?
Prevent AV valve backflow during ventricular contraction.
110
What are the two distinct sounds of a heartbeat?
Lub-dub
111
What causes the first heart sound (lub)?
Closure and vibration of the AV valves.
112
When does the lub sound occur?
At the beginning of ventricular systole.
113
What causes the second heart sound (dub)?
Closure of the semilunar valves.
114
When does the dub sound occur?
At the end of ventricular systole.
115
What causes the lub sound?
Closing of the atrioventricular valves
116
What causes the dub sound?
Closing of the semilunar valves
117
What are internal divisions of the heart called?
Septa
118
What are external boundaries of the heart chambers called?
Sulci
119
What does the interatrial septum divide?
The right and left atria
120
What does the interventricular septum divide?
The right and left ventricles
121
What is the anterior interventricular sulcus?
An external groove marking the boundary between the ventricles.
122
What is the posterior interventricular sulcus?
An external groove marking the boundary between the ventricles.
123
What is the coronary sulcus?
An external groove marking the boundary between the atria and ventricles.
124
What structures are found in the heart's sulci?
Blood vessels and fat
125
What is coronary circulation?
The blood supply that delivers blood to the heart tissues themselves.
126
Does the heart receive its blood supply from the blood inside its chambers?
No, it receives blood through the coronary arteries.
127
Which arteries supply oxygenated blood to heart tissues?
Right and left coronary arteries
128
Where do the coronary arteries originate?
At the base of the aorta.
129
What vessel collects blood from the heart tissues?
Coronary sinus
130
Where does the coronary sinus deliver blood?
The right atrium
131
What is unique about the heart's ability to contract?
It can generate and conduct its own electrical impulses.
132
Does the heart require external nerve impulses to contract?
No, it can beat using its own conduction system.
133
What is the conduction system of the heart?
Specialized cells that generate, transmit, and conduct electrical impulses to stimulate contraction.
134
Is the heart innervated?
Yes, by the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
135
What type of innervation does the heart have?
Dual innervation
136
Which two divisions of the ANS innervate the heart?
Sympathetic and parasympathetic
137
Which heart structures receive sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation?
The SA and AV nodes
138
What is the SA node?
The sinoatrial node, the heart's natural pacemaker.
139
Where is the SA node located?
The superior and posterior wall of the right atrium.
140
What type of cells make up the SA node?
Specialized myocardial conducting cells
141
What is the AV node?
The atrioventricular node, a specialized group of conducting cells.
142
What is the Bundle of His?
The atrioventricular (AV) bundle.
143
What are the right and left bundle branches also called?
Bundle fibers
144
What are Purkinje fibers?
Specialized conducting fibers that distribute electrical signals through the ventricles.
145
What are the five major structures of the heart's conduction system?
SA node, AV node, Bundle of His, right and left bundle branches, and Purkinje fibers
146
What is the first event in the heart's conduction system?
An electrical impulse is generated at the SA node.
147
What happens after the SA node generates an impulse?
The signal spreads throughout the atria, causing atrial contraction.
148
What happens to the electrical signal after it spreads through the atria?
It also travels to the AV node.
149
What happens at the AV node?
The electrical signal experiences a short delay.
150
How long is the normal AV nodal delay?
Approximately 0.1 seconds
151
Why is the AV nodal delay important?
It allows atrial systole to finish before ventricular systole begins.
152
What structure receives the signal after the AV node?
The AV bundle (Bundle of His)
153
What is the order of electrical conduction after the AV node?
Bundle of His → bundle branches → Purkinje fibers
154
Where do the bundle branches travel?
Along the interventricular septum.
155
What happens when the signal reaches the Purkinje fibers?
The ventricles contract.
156
What is an SA block?
A delay or blockage of electrical impulses generated by the SA node.
157
What does an SA block delay?
Atrial contraction
158
How many times per minute does the normal SA node depolarize?
60–100 times
159
Which structure becomes the pacemaker during an SA block?
The AV node
160
What is the pacemaker rate of the AV node?
40–60 beats per minute
161
Why is an SA block generally less dangerous than an AV block?
The AV node can take over as a pacemaker and maintain a life-sustaining heart rate.
162
What is an AV block?
A delay or blockage of electrical signals at the AV node.
163
What does an AV block delay?
Ventricular contraction
164
Which structure may become the pacemaker during an AV block?
The Bundle of His
165
Why can an AV block be dangerous?
The Bundle of His may not maintain a sufficient heart rate and blood flow.
166
What treatment may be used for an AV block?
An artificial pacemaker
167
What does ECG stand for?
Electrocardiogram
168
What does EKG stand for?
Electrocardiogram
169
What is an ECG or EKG?
A graph recording the heart's electrical activity.
170
What is the clinical purpose of an ECG?
To monitor heart function.
171
What does the parasympathetic division do to heart rate?
Decreases heart rate
172
What does the sympathetic division do to heart rate?
Increases heart rate
173
What is atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries?
Accumulation of fatty deposits that restrict blood flow to heart tissue.
174
What is another name for atherosclerosis affecting coronary arteries?
Coronary artery disease
175
What happens when coronary arteries become blocked for a prolonged period?
Heart muscle tissue can die.
176
What is a myocardial infarction?
A heart attack caused by death of cardiac tissue due to inadequate blood supply.
177
What is heart failure?
Weakening of the heart muscle that prevents adequate blood flow to the body.
178
What is ventricular fibrillation?
Uncoordinated electrical signaling that prevents the ventricles from pumping blood properly.
179
What is atrial fibrillation?
Uncoordinated electrical signaling that prevents proper atrial contraction.
180
What can happen when blood remains in the atria during atrial fibrillation?
Blood clots may form.
181
What does congenital mean?
A condition present from birth.
182
What is a ventricular septal defect?
A congenital opening in the interventricular septum.
183
What is an atrial septal defect?
A congenital opening in the interatrial septum.
184
What can atrial and ventricular septal defects cause?
Improper mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.
185
What is valve regurgitation?
A condition in which a valve does not close properly, allowing backward blood flow.
186
What can cause valve regurgitation?
Valve flaps that bulge backward, a condition called prolapse.
187
What is valve prolapse?
A condition in which valve flaps bulge backward.
188
What is valve stenosis?
A condition in which valve openings become narrowed, reducing blood flow.
189
What causes valve stenosis?
Valve flaps become thick, stiff, or fused together.
190
How does stenosis affect blood flow?
It reduces blood flow through the valve.
191
What is valve atresia?
A condition in which a valve fails to form.
192
What happens in valve atresia?
A solid sheet of tissue blocks blood flow between heart chambers
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