The Heart
The Heart
The Heart
De-oxygenated
blood returns to the right side of the heart via the venous circulation. It is pumped
into the right ventricle and then to the lungs where carbon dioxide is released and
oxygen is absorbed. The oxygenated blood then travels back to the left side of the
heart into the left atria, then into the left ventricle from where it is pumped into the
aorta and arterial circulation.
The pressure created in the arteries by the contraction of the left ventricle is the
systolic blood pressure. Once the left ventricle has fully contracted it begins to relax
and refill with blood from the left atria. The pressure in the arteries falls whilst the
ventricle refills. This is the diastolic blood pressure.
The atrio-ventricular septum completely separates the 2 sides of the heart. Unless
there is a septal defect, the 2 sides of the heart never directly communicate. Blood
travels from right side to left side via the lungs only. However the chambers
themselves work together . The 2 atria contract simultaneously, and the 2
ventricles contract simultaneously.
The heart sends deoxygenated blood to the lungs, where the blood
loads up with oxygen and unloads carbon dioxide, a waste product of
metabolism.
A wall of tissue called the septum separates the left and right atria
and the left and right ventricle. Valves separate the atria from the
ventricles.
At rest, the heart might beat around 60 times each minute. But this
can increase to 100 beats per minute (bpm) or more.
The left and right sides of the heart work in unison. The atria and
ventricles contract and relax in turn, producing a rhythmic heartbeat.
Right side
The right side of the heart receives deoxygenated blood and sends it
to the lungs.
The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body
through veins called the superior and inferior vena cava. These
are the largest veins in the body.
The right atrium contracts, and blood passes to the right
ventricle.
Once the right ventricle is full, it contracts and pumps the blood
to the lungs via the pulmonary artery. In the lungs, the blood
picks up oxygen and offloads carbon dioxide.
Left side
The left side of the heart receives blood from the lungs and pumps it
to the rest of the body.
Diastole: The ventricles relax and fill with blood as the atria contract,
emptying all blood into the ventricles.
When a person takes their blood pressure, the machine will give a
high and a low number. The high number is the systolic blood
pressure, and the lower number is the diastolic blood pressure.
Systolic pressure: This shows how much pressure the blood
creates against the artery walls during systole.
Gas exchange
The body’s cells need oxygen to function, and they produce carbon
dioxide as a waste product. The heart enables the body to eliminate
the unwanted carbon dioxide.
Oxygen enters the blood and carbon dioxide leaves it through the
capillaries of the alveoli.
Pulse
A person can feel their pulse at points where arteries pass close to
the skin’s surface, such as on the wrist or neck. The pulse is the
same as the heart rate. When you feel your pulse, you feel the rush
of blood as the heart pumps it through the body.
Valves
Share on PinterestA diagram of the heart’s valves.
Image credit: OpenStax College, Anatomy & Physiology, 2013
The heart has four valves to ensure that blood only flows in one
direction:
Most people are familiar with the sound of the heart. In fact, the heart
makes many types of sound, and doctors can distinguish these to
monitor the health of the heart.
The opening and closing of the valves are key contributors to the
sound of the heartbeat. If there is leaking or a blockage of the heart
valves, it can create sounds called “murmurs.”
From here, the signal travels along fibers, called Purkinje fibers,
within the ventricle walls. The fibers pass the impulse to the heart
muscle, causing the ventricles to contract.
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Blood vessels
There are three types of blood vessels:
Arteries: These carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of
the body. The arteries are strong, muscular, and stretchy, which
helps push blood through the circulatory system, and they also help
regulate blood pressure. The arteries branch into smaller vessels
called arterioles.
Veins: These carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart, and they
increase in size as they get closer to the heart. Veins have thinner
walls than arteries.
Here, learn about some diseases that can affect this system.
Conclusion
The heart is an essential, powerful organ that constantly pumps
oxygen and nutrients around the body.
If the heart stops, a person cannot survive for long. Staying active
and maintaining a healthful diet are two ways to protect the heart.