Question | Answer |
Apex: | Located at the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line; this represents the tip of the left ventricle. |
Base: | Located at the second intercostal space behind the sternum on the posterior aspect of the heart; it lies adjacent to the vertebral bodies of T6 through T9. |
Endocardium: | A thin layer of tissue that lines the inside surface of the heart and valves. |
Epicardium: | The outer layer of the cardiac wall that covers the surface to protect against trauma or infection |
Myocardium: | The thick layer of muscle of the heart that provides the pumping force for the ventricles. |
Pericardium: | A double-walled connective tissue sac (fibrous layer and serous layer) that surrounds the heart and protects it from trauma or infection. |
Right atrium | Receives venous blood from the superior and inferior vena cava. |
Right ventricle: | Receives venous blood from the right atrium through the tricuspid valve. Pushes blood into the pulmonary artery and pulmonary circulation. |
Left atrium | Receives arterial blood from the pulmonary veins. |
Left ventricle | Receives blood from the left atrium. Pushes blood into the aorta and the systemic cir culation. |
Tricuspid valve: | Prevents right ventricular blood from going back into the right atrium. |
Pulmonic valve: | Prevents blood from returning to the right ventricle |
Mitral valve | Prevents left ventricular blood from returning to the left atrium. |
Aortic valve | Prevents the systemic blood from returning to the left ventricle |
Atrioventricular valves | Blood from each atria flows to each ventricle through these valves. The valves close upon ventricular contraction to avoid backflow. |
Semilunar valves | Blood from each ventricle flows out of the heart through these valves. The valves close upon the subsequent diastole to avoid backflow of the blood into the heart |
Aorta | Largest artery which carries the total cardiac output. Divisions include the carotids, subclavians, and descending aorta. |
Ascending aorta | provides blood to the head, neck, and arms |
Descending aorta | provides blood to the lower body and visceral tissues |
Superior vena cava | The primary vein that drains venous blood from the head, neck, and upper body into the right atrium. |
Inferior vena cava | The primary vein that drains venous blood from the lower body and viscera into the right atrium |
Pulmonary artery | he primary artery that carries blood to the lungs from the right ventricle |