Cardiovascular System
Anatomy of the Heart
Major functions of the cardiovascular system
Major arteries
Structural and functional differences between blood vessel types
Cardiac Cycle and the ECG
Intrinsic Factors
Disorders of the Cardiovascular System
The heart is divided into four chambers.
It is one of the closed systems in the body that consists of the heart and blood vessels
The heart pumps blood and the blood vessels circulate blood to all parts of the body. They travel only in specific areas and they deliver oxygen and remove waste.
Functions include: Deliver oxygen and nutrients and it removes carbon dioxide and other waste products
Location: Base point towards the right shoulder and lies beneath the second rib. The apex is directed towards the left hip.
Chest cavity (mediastinum)
Coverings:
Pericardium- double serous membrane that produces serous fluid.
Visceral Pericardium: (Epicardium) next to the heart and it is the closest one to the heart
Parietal pericardium: outside layer
Pericardial activity is created by 2 layers of pericardium and is filled with serous fluid
Walls: Epicardium (outer connective tissue layer).
Myocardium (Middle thick muscle layer).
Endocardium (Endothelium) is the inner lining
The two Upper chambers are: The LEFT and RIGHT atria (They are the receiving chambers)
The two Lower chambers are: The LEFT and RIGHT ventricles (they are the discharging ventricles)
Left atrium: Receives blood from the lungs (HIGHLY Oxygenated)
Right Atrium: Receives blood from the rest of the body (It is LOW in Oxygen)
Left Ventricle: receives blood from the left atrium and carries highly oxygenated blood and it discharges the blood back to the rest of the body
Right Ventricle: Receives blood from the right atrium and it charges the blood to the lungs it carries blood that is low in oxygen.
Heart Valves
Atrioventricular valves (AV Valves) between atria and ventricles. The function of these valves is to prevent the blood from re-entering the atria once it has left.
Bicuspid (Mitral) valve (located on the left). It is called BIcuspid because it has 2 flaps
Tricuspid valve is located on the right. It is called TRIcuspid because it has 3 flaps
It prevent the blood from leaving the left ventricle and going back to the left atrium.
It prevents the blood from the right ventricle from re-entering the right atrium
Semilunar Valves between the ventricle and artery that they are named after. Their function is to prevent blood from re-entering the ventricle once it has left the ventricle into the blood vessel.
Pulmonary semilunar valve is found between the right ventricle and the pulmonary trunk blood vessel
Aortic semilunar valve is found between the left ventricle and aorta
Prevent the blood from re-entering the right ventricle from the pulmonary trunk
Prevent blood flow from the aorta back into the left ventricle
Layers of the Heart
Epicardium (outer connective tissue layer).
Myocardium (Middle thick muscle layer).
Endocardium (Endothelium) is the inner lining
The intrinsic conduction system is the internal control of the heart rate
Heart muscle cells contract w/o nerve impulses in a regular and continuous way. Elements of intrinsic conduction system: SA node---> AV node---> AV bundle---> bundle branches---> Purkinje fibers---> ventricular wall
Blood Vessel anatomy:
Difference between Blood vessel Types:
Arteries:
-Thickest layer (large tunica media); small lumen (space the inside blood vessel)
-Carry high pressure blood
-Blood moved by pumping action of the heart
Tunica (layer) intima---> endothelium is the inner lining of blood vessels
Tunica Media---> Middle, smooth muscle layer that controls (sympathetic nervous system) diameter of blood vesse
Tunica Externa---> Outermost, fibrous connective tissue
Veins: Thinner tunica media; larger lumen. They carry low pressure blood. Blood move milking action of muscles to help move blood
*Aorta:* the Amin high pressure pipeline connected to the heart's left ventricle. It branches into a network of smaller arteries that extend throughout the body. The arteries' smaller branches are called arterioles and capillaries
The arteries of the upper extremity
The arteries of the head and neck (Carotid Artery)
The arteries of the trunk
The arteries of the lower extremity
Venae Cavae: It has both the superior and inferior vena cava
Myocardium infraction: heart attack in where the coronary artery is blocked and the myocardium is not being supplied blood
Angina pectoralis: Sharp pain radiating into the left arm and or neck