The Parts of the Heart and Their Functions

The parts of the heart Are the basis of this organ is responsible for pumping blood to the entire circulatory system. The heart, the size of the closed fist of each person, is in the rib cage, between the lungs.

Two-thirds of the heart is on the left side of the body, while the remaining third is on the right. As for the pumping process, the heart takes deoxygenated blood and transports it to the lungs to oxygenate it; Subsequently, the oxygen-rich blood is pumped into the arteries, and from there, it is transported to the rest of the body.

The Parts of the Heart and Their Functions

Brief description of the parts that make up the heart and its functions

Layers of the heart

The heart consists of three layers, the epicardium, the myocardium and the endocardium.

1 - The Epicardium Is the outermost layer of the heart. This serous membrane helps to lubricate and protect the exterior of the heart.

2 - The Myocardium Is the muscular layer of the heart. This is the thickest layer and is contracted involuntarily, allowing the heart to pump blood.

3 - The Endocardium Is the inner layer of the heart. This layer is responsible for preventing blood from sticking to the walls of the heart, so that clots do not form.

Parts of the Heart and its Functions 1 Heart layers: epicardium (outer layer) myocardium (middle layer) and endocardium (inner layer) / Photo retrieved from web.as.uk.edu.

Heart chambers

The heart has four hollow chambers, two atria (right and left) and two ventricles (right and left). The Atria are smaller than the ventricles And its walls are much thinner and less muscular. These chambers are located in the upper part of the heart. Its function is to receive the blood and send it to the ventricles.

On the other hand, the ventricles are larger and muscular, because they have to fulfill functions that require the use of greater force. These cameras are located in the lower part of the heart and are responsible for pumping blood.

1 - Right atrium

The right atrium is responsible for receiving deoxygenated blood through the superior vena cava, the inferior vena cava and the coronary vein.

The superior vena cava transports blood from tissues located above the heart, while the inferior venae carries blood from tissues below the heart; The coronary vein collects the blood that drains the layers of the heart. Once the chamber is filled, the blood is sent to the right ventricle.

2 - Right ventricle

The Parts of the Heart and Their Functions 2

The right ventricle receives deoxygenated blood from the right atrium and pumps it to the pulmonary arteries.

3 - Left atrium

The left atrium receives oxygen-rich blood from the pulmonary arteries. When the camera fills with blood, it is sent to the left ventricle.

4 - Left Ventricle

The left ventricle is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood throughout the body.

Parts of the Heart and their Functions 3 Blood flow in the heart: a) Left, diastole movement. The chambers are relaxed, allowing blood to enter the body. B) In the middle, atrial systole and ventricular diastole. The atria contract, sending blood into the ventricles. C) On the right, atrial diastole and ventricular systole. The atria relax and the ventricles contract, pumping the blood out of the heart. / Photo retrieved from newhealthadvisor.com

Membranes between the atria and the ventricles

Within the heart, there are two membranes that separate both the atria and the ventricles. The membrane that divides the right atrium from the left is called the atrial septal wall. For its part, the membrane separating the right ventricle from the left is called the interventricular septum.

Valves of the heart

The heart has four valves that allow blood to be kept inside the chambers for as long as necessary. These valves are: the pulmonary, the aortic, the mitral and the tricuspid.

1 - Tricuspid valve

The tricuspid valve is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle. This is the first valve that regulates the flow of blood entering the heart. When opened, it allows deoxygenated blood to pass from the right atrium to the right ventricle. It closes once the ventricle contracts, so that the blood does not return to the atria.

2 - Pulmonary valve

The pulmonary valve separates the right ventricle from the pulmonary arteries. It opens when the ventricles contract, allowing deoxygenated blood contained in the right ventricle to pass into the lungs and closes once the ventricles relax, thus preventing blood from returning to the ventricles.

3 - Mitral Valve

The mitral valve separates the left atrium from the left ventricle. Opens to allow oxygen-rich blood to pass from the right atrium to the corresponding ventricle. It closes when the left ventricle contracts to prevent blood from returning to the atrium.

4 - Aortic valve

The aortic valve separates the left ventricle from the aorta. This valve opens to allow the pumping of the oxygenated blood contained in the left ventricle to the whole body. It closes when the ventricles relax, preventing blood from returning to the heart.

The Parts of the Heart and Its Functions 4 The heart has four valves that allow blood to be properly transformed through the chambers of the heart and outwardly / Recovered from d-scholarship.pitt.edu

References

  1. McConahy, Douglas (2005). Application of Multiobjective Optimization to Determining an Optimal Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Pump Speed. Retrieved on April 19, 2017, from d-scholarship.pitt.edu.
  2. Cherry, Elizabeth and Fenton Flavio. Heart Structure, Function and Arrhythmias. Retrieved on April 19, 2017, from thevirtualheart.org.
  3. Curran, Tony and Shepard, Gill (2011). Module 1: Anatomy and Physiology of the Heart. Retrieved on April 19, 2017, from cdhb.health.nz.
  4. The Cardiovascular System: The Heart. Retrieved on April 19, 2017, from web.as.uk.edu.
  5. What are the functions of the parts of the heart? Recovered on April 19, 2017, from healthyeating.sfgate.com.
  6. The Heart. Retrieved on April 19, 2017, from innerbody.com.
  7. Heart Structure and Function. Retrieved on April 19, 2017 from newhealthadvisor.com.


Loading ..

Recent Posts

Loading ..