Marquez, Michelle D.

BSN III blk 4

NCM 112N

Parts of the heart and their functions

Superior vena cava-coursing towards the right atrium of the heart, returning deoxygenated
blood from the body. The SVC is one of the 2 large veins by which blood is returned from
the body to the right side of the heart.
right pulmonary artery-supplies the right lung
Interatrial septum; the lower chambers, the ventricles, are separated by the interventricular
septum. The atria receive blood from various parts of the body and pass it into the ventricles.
The ventricles, in turn, pump blood to the lungs and to the remainder of the body.
pulmonary veins-carry blood from the lung to the left atrium.
Right atrium-receives blood from three major openings ( superior vena cava, inferior vena
cava and coronary sinus
tricuspid valve-helps keep blood flowing in the right direction through the heart. It separates
one of the heart's two upper and lower chambers (atria and ventricles).
The right ventricle-pumps blood into the pulmonary trunk
inferior vena cava-ultimately responsible for the transport of almost all venous blood
(deoxygenated) from the abdomen and lower extremities back to the right side of the heart for
oxygenation
papillary muscles-contract and prevent the valves from opening into the atria by pulling on
the chordae tendineae attached to the valve cusps
Descending aorta-travels down through the chest. Its small branches supply blood to the ribs
and some chest structures. The abdominal aorta begins at the diaphragm, splitting to become
the paired iliac arteries in the lower abdomen.
aortic arch-is the segment of the aorta that helps distribute blood to the head and upper
extremities via the brachiocephalic trunk, the left common carotid, and the left subclavian
artery. The aortic arch also plays a role in blood pressure homeostasis via baroreceptors
found within the walls of the aortic arch.
left pulmonary artery-the left pulmonary artery supplies the left lung. 
aortic valve is a sophisticated structure that performs a range of functions resulting in the
unidirectional flow of blood out of the left ventricle, the optimising of coronary blood flow, and
preservation of myocardial function.
mitral valve- these valves allow blood to flow from the atria into the ventricles but prevent it
from flowing back into the atria.
chordae tendineae- colloquially known as the heart strings, are tendon-resembling fibrous
cords of connective tissue that connect the papillary muscles to the tricuspid valve and the
mitral valve in the heart
left ventricle- pumps blood into the aorta
papillary muscles- contract to prevent inversion or prolapse of these valves on systole (or
ventricular contraction).
interventricular septum- conduit for part of the conducting system of the heart
visceral pericardium- beginning of the great vessels (the large blood vessels serving the
heart) becoming one with the parietal layer of the serous pericardium.
pericardial space- is a thin sac that surrounds your heart. It protects and lubricates your
heart and keeps it in place within your chest. Problems can occur when
the pericardium becomes enflamed or fills with fluid. The swelling can damage your heart and
affect its function.
epicardium- is a thin layer of elastic connective tissue and fat that serves as an additional
layer of protection from trauma or friction for the heart under the pericardium. This layer
contains the coronary blood vessels, which oxygenate the tissues of the heart with a blood
supply from the coronary arteries.
Mycocardium- the heart muscles line the myocardium, or middle layer of the heart walls, and
are responsible for the contractile function of the cardiac pump
endocardium- is the innermost layer of tissue that lines the chambers of the heart. Its cells
are embryologically and biologically similar to the endothelial cells that line blood vessels. The
endocardium also provides protection to the valves and heart chambers.
References:

Anatomy Book

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/tricuspid-valve-repair-tricuspid-valve-
replacement/about/pac-20385087#:~:text=The%20tricuspid%20valve%20helps
%20keep,chambers%20(atria%20and%20ventricles).

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482353/#:~:text=common%20iliac
%20veins-,Structure%20and%20Function,of%20the%20heart%20for%20oxygenation.

https://www.webmd.com/heart/picture-of-the-aorta#1

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499911/#:~:text=The%20aortic%20arch%20is
%20the%20segment%20of%20the%20aorta%20that,walls%20of%20the%20aortic%20arch.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4104380/
https://www.imaios.com/en/e-Anatomy/Anatomical-Parts/Papillary-muscles#:~:text=The
%20papillary%20muscles%20are%20muscles,systole%20(or%20ventricular%20contraction).
https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/the-ventricles-of-the-heart
https://www.healthline.com/health/pericardium
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545195/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocardium