Anatomy of the

Heart

The heart
The heart is the organ that supplies blood and oxygen to
all parts of the body.
It is about the size of a clenched fist, weighs about 10.5
bounces and is shaped like a cone.
The heart is located in the chest cavity just posterior to
the breastbone, between the lungs and superior to the
diaphragm.
The heart is surrounded by a fluid filled sac called the
pericardium.
Blood is pumped away from the heart through arteries
and returns to the heart through veins. The major artery
of the body is the aorta and the major veins of the body
are the vena cava
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The pericardium

The pericardium is the fluid filled sac

that surrounds the heart and the
proximal ends of the aorta,
vena cava and the pulmonary artery
Function:
Keeps the heart contained in the
chest cavity.
Prevents the heart from
overexpanding when blood volume
increases.

Blood Vessels
Blood vessels are networks of tubes
that transport blood throughout the
entire body.
Types of vessels:
Arteries
Veins
Capillaries
Sinusoids
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Structure of the Heart Wall

(1)Epicardium

The epicardium is the outer layer of

the wall of the heart. It is composed
of connective tissue covered by
epithelium. The epicardium is also
known as the visceral pericardium.
Function:
Provides an outer protective layer for
the heart
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(2) Myocardium

Myocardium is the muscular middle layer

of the wall of the heart. It is composed of
spontaneously contracting cardiac muscle
fibers which allow the heart to contract.
Function:
Stimulates heart contractions to pump
blood from the ventricles and relaxes the
heart to allow the artria to receive blood.

(3) Endocardium

The endocardium is the inner layer of the

heart. It consists of epithelial tissue and
connective tissue.
Function:
Lines the inner cavities of the heart, covers
heart valves and is continuous with the inner
lining of blood vessels.
Purkinje fibers are located in the
endocardium. They participate in the
contraction of the heart muscle.
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Chambers of the
heart

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Lt.Ventric
le

Lt.Atrium

(1)Atria

The heart is divided into four chambers that

are connected by valves. The upper two
chambers of the heart are called the left
atrium and the right atrium.
Function:
Right Atrium: Receives blood returning to the
heart from the superior and inferior
vena cava.
Left Atrium: Receives blood returning to the
heart from the pulmonary veins
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(2)Ventricles

The heart is divided into four chambers that

are connected by valves. The lower two
chambers of the heart are called the left
ventricle and the right ventricle.
Function:
Right Ventricle: Receives blood from the right
atrium and pumps it to the pulmonary artery.
Left Ventricle: Receives blood from the left
atrium and pumps it to the aorta.
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Valves of the heart

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 Valves are flap-like structures that allow

blood to flow in one direction. The heart
has two kinds of valves, atrioventricular
and semilunar valves.
The atrioventricular valves are thin
structures that are composed of
endocardium and connective tissue. They
are located between the atria and the
ventricles
The tricuspid valve is located between
the right atrium and the right ventricle.
Mitral valve between left atrium and left
ventricle.
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Cardiac Conduction
system

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Conducting System of the Heart

The conducting system of the heart

consists of specialized cardiac muscle
This system consist of
Sinuatrial node
The atrioventricular node
The atrioventricular bundle and its right
and left terminal branches
The subendocardial plexus of Purkinje
fibers

SA
nod
e

Lt.branc
h

AV
node

Rt.
branch

AV
bundl
e

Purkinje
fibers

Coronary Arteries
The coronary arteries are the first
blood vessels that branch off from
the ascending aorta.
Function:
Carry oxygenated and nutrient filled
blood to the heart muscle

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Rt.Coronr
ay artery

Lt.coron
ary
artery

Pulmonary Veins
Function:
Brings oxygenated blood from the
lungs to the left atrium

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Vena Cavae
Function:
Superior Vena Cava: Brings deoxygenated blood from the head,
neck, arm and chest regions of the
body to the right atrium.
Inferior Vena Cava: Brings deoxygenated blood from the lower
body regions to the right atrium.
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S.V.C

I.V.C

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