Structure of the Heart - AQA - Unit 1

Revision on the valves, vessels, ventricles and atria.

?
  • Created by: Eleanor
  • Created on: 17-03-13 13:56
View mindmap
  • Structure of the Heart
    • Valves
      • Atrioventricular
        • Between the ventricles and atria on both sides of the heart
        • Prevents the backflow of blood when ventricular pressure exceeds atrial pressure
          • Ensures that blood flows to the aorta and pulmonary artery instead of back to the atria
      • Semi-Lunar
        • In the aorta and pulmonary artery
    • Vessels
      • Aorta
        • Connected to the left ventricle
          • Carries oxygenated blood to all areas of the body (except the lungs)
      • Pulmonary Vein
        • Connected to the left atrium
          • Carries oxygenated blood back from the lungs
            • Unusually for a vein it carries oxygenated blood
      • Vena Cava
        • Connected to the right atrium
          • Brings deoxygenated blood back from body tissues
      • Pulmonary Artery
        • Connected to the right ventricle
          • Carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs
            • Unusually for an artery it carries deoxygenated blood
    • Atria
      • The top chambers on both sides of the heart
      • Thin walled and elastic - stretches as it collects blood
      • Only pumps blood a short distance to the ventricles
        • As such they have a thin muscular wall
    • Ventricles
      • The lower chambers on both sides of the heart
      • Has to pump blood some distance around the body
        • Much thicker muscular wall than the ventricles
        • Either to the lungs or the rest of the body

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Biology resources:

See all Biology resources »See all Human, animal and plant physiology resources »