Cardiovascular | Structures and Layers of the Heart

Ninja Nerd・2 minutes read

The heart is a vital organ located in the mediastinum, with a weight of 200 to 300 grams and various chambers receiving and pumping blood. Valves, chordae tendineae, and different arteries play crucial roles in the heart's structure and function.

Insights

  • The heart is located in the mediastinum, two-thirds to the left of the mid-sternal line, weighing around 200 to 300 grams, and is roughly the size of a fist.
  • The heart's structure includes chambers like the atria, receiving blood from specific veins, with valves separating the atria from the ventricles, and chordae tendineae anchoring the valves to prevent backflow.

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Recent questions

  • Where is the heart located in the body?

    In the mediastinum within the thoracic cavity.

  • What are the chambers of the heart called?

    Atria and ventricles.

  • What are the functions of heart valves?

    Prevent backflow and regulate blood flow.

  • How does the heart pump blood to the body?

    Through the pulmonary and aortic semilunar valves.

  • What are the layers of the heart?

    Endocardium, myocardium, and epicardium.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Anatomy of the Heart: Key Points

  • The heart is situated in the mediastinum within the thoracic cavity, shifted two-thirds to the left of the mid-sternal line.
  • The apex of the heart points towards the left hip, while the base points towards the right shoulder.
  • The heart weighs approximately 200 to 300 grams, about the size of a fist.
  • The heart consists of chambers, with the top chambers known as atria, such as the right atrium and left atrium.
  • The right atrium receives blood from the inferior vena cava, superior vena cava, and coronary sinus.
  • The left atrium receives blood from the pulmonary veins, bringing oxygenated blood from the lungs.
  • Valves separate the atria from the ventricles, including the tricuspid valve on the right side and the bicuspid or mitral valve on the left side.
  • The valves are made up of three layers - zona spongy, zona fibrosis, and zona ventricular, with an endothelial lining.
  • Chordae tendineae are collagen cords that anchor the valves to papillary muscles, preventing backflow.
  • The right ventricle pumps blood to the pulmonary trunk through the pulmonary semilunar valve, while the left ventricle pumps blood to the aorta through the aortic semilunar valve.

13:30

Anatomy of the Heart and Major Arteries

  • The right pulmonary artery leads to the right lung.
  • The ascending aorta separates the left ventricle from the aorta.
  • The aortic arch branches into the brachiocephalic, left common carotid, and left subclavian arteries.
  • The heart layers consist of the endocardium, myocardium, and epicardium.
  • The epicardium can also be referred to as the visceral layer of the serous pericardium.
  • The fibrous pericardium anchors, protects, and prevents the heart from overfilling with blood.
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