Heart Anatomy

Approximately the size of your fist Wt. = 250-300 grams Location In the mediastinum between the lungs Superior surface of diaphragm s of it lies to the left of the midsternal line Anterior to the vertebral column, posterior to the sternum

Heart Anatomy

Figure 18.1

Coverings of the Heart

Pericardium a double-walled sac around the heart
Composed of:
A superficial fibrous pericardium A deep two-layer serous pericardium
The parietal layer lines the internal surface of the fibrous pericardium The visceral layer or epicardium lines the surface of the heart They are separated by the fluid-filled pericardial cavity called the pericardial cavity

Protects and anchors the heart Prevents overfilling of the heart with blood Allows for the heart to work in a relatively friction-free environment

Pericardial Layers of the Heart

Figure 18.2

Layers of the Heart Wall

Epicardium visceral pericardium Myocardium cardiac muscle layer forming the bulk of the heart Endocardium endothelial layer of the inner myocardial surface

Heart Anatomy
External markings
Apex - pointed inferior region Base - upper region Coronary sulcus

Internal divisions
Atria (superior) and ventricles (inferior) Interventricular and interatrial septa

Atria of the Heart

Atria - receiving chambers of the heart
Receive venous blood returning to heart Separated by an interatrial septum (wall)

Each atrium has a protruding auricle Pectinate muscles mark atrial walls Pump blood into ventricles Blood enters right atria from superior and inferior vena cava and coronary sinus Blood enters left atria from pulmonary veins

Ventricles of the Heart

Ventricles are the discharging chambers of the heart Separated by an interventricular septum
Contains components of the conduction system

Right ventricle pumps blood into the pulmonary trunk Left ventricle pumps blood into the aorta
Thicker myocardium due to greater work load
Pulmonary circulation supplied by right ventricle is a much low pressure system requiring less energy output by ventricle Systemic circulation supplied by left ventricle is a higher pressure system and thus requires more forceful contractions

External Heart: Anterior View

Figure 18.4b

Structure of Heart Wall

Left ventricle three times thicker than right
Exerts more pumping force Flattens right ventricle into a crescent shape

Figure 18.7

Heart Valves
Heart valves ensure unidirectional blood flow through the heart
Composed of an endocardium with a connective tissue core

Two major types Atrioventricular valves Semilunar valves Atrioventricular (AV) valves lie between the atria and the ventricles R-AV valve = tricuspid valve L-AV valve = bicuspid or mitral valve AV valves prevent backflow of blood into the atria when ventricles contract Chordae tendineae anchor AV valves to papillary muscles of ventricle wall Prevent prolapse of valve back into atrium

Semilunar Heart Valves

Semilunar valves prevent backflow of blood into the ventricles Have no chordae tendinae attachments Aortic semilunar valve lies between the left ventricle and the aorta Pulmonary semilunar valve lies between the right ventricle and pulmonary trunk Heart sounds (lub-dup) due to valves closing
Lub - closing of atrioventricular valves Dub- closing of semilunar valves

Fibrous Skeleton
Surrounds all four valves
Composed of dense connective tissue

Functions
Anchors valve cusps Prevents overdilation of valve openings Main point of insertion for cardiac muscle Blocks direct spread of electrical impulses

Heart Valves

External Heart: Posterior View

Figure 18.4d

Major Vessels of the Heart

Vessels returning blood to the heart include:
Superior and inferior venae cavae
Open into the right atrium Return deoxygenated blood from body cells

Coronary sinus
Opens into the right atrium Returns deoxygenated blood from heart muscle (coronary veins)

Right and left pulmonary veins

Open into the left atrium Return oxygenated blood from lungs

Major Vessels of the Heart

Vessels conveying blood away from the heart include:
Pulmonary trunk
Carries deoxygenated blood from right ventricle to lungs Splits into right and left pulmonary arteries

Ascending aorta
Carries oxygenated blood away from left atrium to body organs Three major branches
Brachiocephalic Left common carotid, Left subclavian artery

Blood Flow Through the Heart

Figure 18.6

Pathway of Blood Through the Heart and Lungs

Figure 18.5

Microscopic Anatomy of Heart Muscle

Cardiac muscle cells
Short, striated, branched, and interconnected

The connective tissue endomysium acts as both tendon and insertion Intercalated discs anchor cardiac cells together and allow free passage of ions Heart muscle behaves as a functional syncytium Many mitochondria (25% of total volume)

Microscopic Anatomy of Heart Muscle

Figure 18.11

Disorders of the Heart

Coronary artery disease
Atherosclerosis fatty deposits Arteriosclerosis - hardening of the arteries Angina pectoris chest pain Myocardial infarction blocked coronary artery Silent ischemia no pain or warning Fibrillation - irregular heart beat; may occur in either atria or ventricles