Anatomy of the Heart

I. Chambers - 4
A. Atria Left and Right Atrium smaller than and superior to . . . B. Ventricles Left and Right Ventricles are larger with thicker cardiac muscle walls. The left is the most powerful pump in the heart C. Other points Septum: wall between chambers, Myocardium: muscle wall of the chambers, Endocardium: epithelial lining of chambers

II.

Major Blood Vessels

A. Superior Vena Cava drains blood from head, neck, and arms into the right atrium B. Inferior Vena Cava second longest vein in body, drains blood from everywhere else into the right atrium C. Pulmonary Trunk carries blood from the right ventricle. Divides into right and left pulmonary artery; blood flow continues toward lungs D. Pulmonary Veins two from each lung (total 4) return blood to left atrium E. Aorta largest body artery; carries blood for all parts of body except the lungs F. Coronary Arteries Shortly after the aorta leaves left ventricle, the coronary arteries send some blood back to heart tissue for its own O2 and nutrients

III.

Valves two pairs

A. AV (atrioventricular) valves between atria and ventricles i. Bicuspid (mitral) between atrium and ventricle on the left B. Tricuspid between atrium and ventricle on right C. Semilunar valves where the major artery exits from the ventricle on each side i. Pulmonary Semilunar Valve where the pulmonary trunk exits the right ventricle ii. Aortic Semilunar Valve where aorta exits left ventricle