Circulation Notes 2B - The Heart
Circulation Notes 2B - The Heart
Circulation Notes 2B - The Heart
In the systematic circulation or circuit, blood passes from the heart to the rest of the body and back to
the heart again.
This double system has the advantage that the blood to the rest of the body can be pumped by the
heart at a much higher pressure than would otherwise be the case. This ensures that oxygenated blood
reaches all parts of the body.
SUMMARY:
1. Deoxygenated blood comes to the heart from the rest of the body.
2. The heart pumps this to the lungs to become oxygenated.
3. Oxygenated blood comes to the heart from the lungs.
4. The heart pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.
THE HEART
STRUCTURE OF THE HEART
The pumping action of the heart maintains a constant circulation of blood around the body.
The heart is composed of cardiac muscle, a muscle that never get tired.
The heart is divided into two sides – left and right (this is always opposite to your left and right hand
when looking at it on paper). The right side deals with deoxygenated blood and the left side deals with
Each side of the heart is divided into two sections – an upper section and a lower section. The upper
sections are also called the atria (singular atrium) and the lower sections are called the ventricles. The
ventricles are significantly thicker than the atria because they pump blood out of the heart. The left
ventricle however is thicker than the right because it pumps blood to the whole body whereas the
There are valves present between the atrium and ventricle and in the pulmonary artery and aorta to
1. Deoxygenated blood enter the right atrium via the superior and inferior vena cava.
2. The right atrium fills and blood is pushed to the right ventricle.
3. The right ventricle contracts and pushes blood out the heart via the pulmonary artery. At the same
time the tricuspid valve closes to prevent blood from flowing back into the atrium.
4. Deoxygenated blood leaves the heart through the pulmonary artery and goes to the lungs for gaseous
5. Oxygenated blood leaves the lungs and enters the heart through the pulmonary vein. (pulmonary vein
6. Oxygenated blood enters the left atrium. When the atrium fills the blood flows into ventricles.
7. The ventricles then contract and push the blood out of the heart via the aorta. At this point in time the
tricuspid or mitral valve closes. (The aorta branches into two – one leading to the head called the
8. The se valves present in the pulmonary artery and aorta prevents blood from flowing back down into
the ventricle.
When the ventricles fill, they contract forcing blood out of the heart.
It is important to understand that the left side and right side of the heart operate simultaneously and not
separate.
The heartbeat is two sounds (lub dub) made by the closing of the tricuspid and mitral valves and the valves in