Functions of the Heart By Oliver Tang

Blood Flow The diagram shows how blood flows inside the human body. Blood that flows from above enters the Superior Vena Cava while the blood from the lower parts of the body enter the Inferior Vena Cava

Heartbeat The heart is the central organ within the human body. The heart pumps blood inside the human body, without it, the body would not be able to work properly. To listen to the heartbeat in .WAV format click this To listen to the heartbeat in .AU format click here

Superior Vena Cava The Superior Vena Cava, is a vein which carries de-oxygenated blood from the upper body to the heart’s right atrium. The Innominate veins form the Superior Vena Cava, which revieves blood from the upper limb, head and neck. At the upper right part of the heart, the azygous vein joins it before it enters the right atrium. When reaching adulthood, no veins separate the Super Vena Cava from the right atrium. This causes the artial and ventricular contractions are conducted upwards to the jugular venous pressure.

Inferior Vena Cava The Inferior Vena Cava is very similar to the Superior Vena Cava. Both carry de-oxygenated blood, however the Inferior Vena Cava carries de-oxygenated blood from the lower part of the body upwards, to the lower parts of the heart. The IVC is posterior to the abdonminal cavity, and runs along the vertebral cavity. It then runs along the right side and enters the lower backside of the heart. Due to the location of the Inferior Vena Cava not being located within the central area, its drainage patterns are asymetrical. On the right side, the gonadal and the suprarenal veins drain blood into the IVC. On the other end, the renal veins also drain into the IVC.

And Right Left Atriums The Right Atrium is one of four chambers within the human heart. The Inferior and Superior Vena Cava give de-oxygenated blood to the Right Atrium through the tricuspid valve. The left atrium of the heart has similar properties to the right atrium. Both one of four chambers within the heart. The recieves oxygenated heart from the plumonary veins, and pumps the blood into the left ventricle

Right and Left Ventricle Along with the two artiums and the left ventricle, the right ventricle is one of the four chambers within the human heart. The right atrium gives de-oxygenated blood to the right ventricle where it pumps the blood into the plumonary artery. The right ventricle has a triangular shape, and extends from the right atrium to the apex of the heart. The left ventricle is one of four chambers within the human heart. The left atrium gives the left ventricle blood which is pumped to the aorta valve.

Aorta The Aorta is the largest artery within the human body. The aorta beings at the left ventricle, and pumps oxygenated blood to all parts for the body in systemetic circulation.

Plumonary Artery The plumonary artery pumps blood from the human heart to its lungs. Excluding the umbilical artery in the fetus, there are only two arterys that carry deoxygenated blood.

Pulmonary Vein Blood rich in oxygen, is carried from the lungs to the left atrium with the help of plumonary veins. There are only a couple of veins in the post- fetal body of a human which carry oxygen (red) blood.

Tricuspid Valve The tricuspid valve is located at the right side of the heart, between the right atrium and the right ventricle. A Tricuspid valve usually has 3 leaflets and 3 papillary muscles. The Tricuspic valve may also occur with two or three leaflets, however, the number may change varying over time.

Aorta Valve The aortic valve is a valve within the human heart. The valve is located between the left ventricle and the aorta.

Mitral Valve Also known as the bicuspid valve or left artioventricular valve, is a two flapped valve, in the heart. The mitral valve is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle. Because of its location, the mitral valve is known as the “atrioventricular valve”.

Heart Muscle The cardiac muscle is a type of involuntary muscle found within the heart. The job of the muscle is to pump blood through the circulatory system by contraction.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It uses a strong magnetic field and radiofrequency to obtain a strong, clear image of the internal organs. This is an important procedure in diagnosing the problem of a patient.

Cardiac Computed Tomography A CT scan or Cardiac Computed Tomography is relevant anatomic and nonvasive. If the potentiional hazards are known, a CT scan of the heart has very low long term risks.

Nuclear Medicine Scan A Nuclear medicine scan is used when a patient has chest pains, and the electrocardiography test is inconclusive. Doctors use scan the heart to see in corresponding time whether or no there is a lack of blood within the heart.

Ultrasound Cardiac Ultrasound involves high frequency sound waves, to create an image of the heart. A cardiac Sonographer performs the test. Ultrasound is defined as very high frequency sound waves, used to help display an image.

Circulation Through Lungs