Labelled Structure of Heart that was dissected in my Biology Lesson. The heart is a muscular organ in most animals, which pumps blood through the blood vessels of the circulatory system.
Lower front portion of the heart, beneath the right atrium. Its wall thinner compared to the left ventricle. This is due to the lower pressure required to pump blood into the lungs versus rather than the entire body
Function
Recieves deoxygenated blood from the right atrium and pump it into the pulmonary artery, which then carries the blood to the lungs for oxygenation
Left Ventricle
Structure & Location
Located in the lower left portion of the organ. It has a thick, muscular wall, thicker than that of the right ventricle, due to the greater force required to pump blood throughout the entire body, as opposed to just the lungs.
Function
Recieve oxygenated blood from the left atrium (via the mitral valve) and then pump it into systemic circulation through the aorta.
Coronary Artery
Structure and Location
Arise from the ascending aorta immediately above the aortic valve. There are two primary coronary arteries: the left coronary artery and the right coronary artery.
Function
Responsible for supplying oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. As the heart is continuously active and requires a constant energy supply, uninterrupted flow of oxygenated blood via the coronary arteries is essential for its proper functioning and survival.
Atria
Structure & Location
A are the two upper chambers of the heart. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the systemic circulation via the superior and inferior vena cava and the coronary sinus. The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins. Both atria have a thinner muscular wall compared to the ventricles.
Function
Right atrium is to collect deoxygenated blood returning from the body and funnel it into the right ventricle.
Left atrium's main role is to gather oxygenated blood from the lungs and direct it into the left ventricle
The atria, when they contract, ensure that the ventricles are filled adequately before the ventricles themselves contract.
Tendons
Chordae tendineae
Structure & Location
Thin, fibrous cords that connect the papillary muscles to the cusps of the atrioventricular (AV) valves
Function
Prevent the back-flow of blood into the atria during ventricular systole.
Ensure the valves don’t invert or bulge
Pulmonary Artery
Structure & Origin
Originates from the right ventricle of the heart. Then it divides into the left and right pulmonary arteries, which transport blood to the respective lungs.
Function
Transport deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation, a process that's vital for the oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange in the lungs.
Aorta
Structure
Thick wall and elastic - withstand the high pressure of blood being pumped from the heart + helps in maintaining continuous blood flow during diastole.
Main Branches
Ascending Aorta
Gives rise to coronary arteries that supply the heart muscles
Aortic arch
This curves over the heart and gives rise to three major branches
The brachiocephalic trunk
The left common carotid artery
The left subclavian artery
Thoraic Aorta
Functions to distribute oxygenated blood from the heart to the organs and tissues of the upper body and thoracic cavity
Abdominal Aorta
Functions to supply oxygenated blood to the organs and tissues of the abdomen and lower regions of the body
Function
Distribute oxygenated blood from the left ventricle of the heart to the rest of the body, excluding the lungs
Location
Starts from the left ventricle of the heart. It arches backwards and downwards to pass through the thorax and into the abdomen.