Cardiovascular System
Anatomy of heart, Blood circulation,
Blood vessels, Structure and Function of
arteries, veins and capillaries, Elements
of conduction system of heart and
heartbeat, its regulation by autonomic
nervous system, caradiac output,
caradiac cycle.
Regulation of Blood Pressure, Pulse,
Electrocardiogram and Disorders of
heart .
Anatomy of Heart
INTRODUCTION
The cardiovascular system (Cardio-Heart, Vascular-
Blood Vessels) system is divided in two parts,
The Heart, whose pumping action ensures constant
circulation of the blood
The blood vessels, which form a lengthy network
through which the blood flows.
The scientific study of the normal heart and the
diseases associated with it is known as
cardiology.
Its main function is to supply oxygenated blood to the tissues,
transports respiratory gases, nutrients and excretory products
to various parts of the body.
Blood is the medium through which these substances are
transported.
It consists of the following organs and tissues.
The heart: A muscular pump that forces blood around the
body.
A closed system of blood vessels: These vessels include:
Arteries: Vessels that carry blood away from the heart.
Veins: Vessels that bring blood back to the heart.
Capillaries: Tiny vessels that branch off from arteries to
deliver blood to all body tissues
1. LOCATION:
The heart is relatively small,
roughly the same size as your
closed fist.
It is about 12 cm (5 in.) long, 9
cm (3.5 in.) wide at its broadest
point, and 6 cm (2.5 in.) thick,
with an average mass of 250 g in
adult females and 300 g in adult
males.
The heart rests on the diaphragm,
near the midline of the thoracic
cavity. It lies in the mediastinum,
an anatomical region that extends
from the sternum to the vertebral
column, the first rib to the
The pointed apex is formed by the tip of the left ventricle
(a lower chamber of the heart) and rests on the
diaphragm. It is directed anteriorly, inferiorly, and to the
left.
The base of the heart is its posterior surface. It is formed
by the atria (upper chambers) of the heart, mostly the left
atrium.
The anterior surface is deep to the sternum and ribs. The
inferior surface is the part of the heart between the apex
and right border and rests mostly on the diaphragm.
The right border faces the right lung and extends from the
inferior surface to the base. The left border, also called the
pulmonary border, faces the left lung and extends from the
base to the apex.
Structure of the Heart
Heart is surrounded by an outer covering Pericardium.
It contains two layers
called visceral pericardium
and Parietal pericardium.
Pericardial fluid is present
between these two layers.
The middle layer is made
of heart muscle fibres. It is
called as Myocardium.
The inner lining is called Endocardium.
Pericardium
Uppermost layer of heart that encloses the heart
and roots of the blood vessels.
Surrounds and protect the heart.
Also divided into 2 main layers,
Fibrous Pericardium : Tough external layer
made of dense irregular connective tissue.
Serous Pericardium : Thin internal layer which
is itself divided into 2 main layers,
Parietal layer and Visceral layer (Epicardium)
Secrets serous fluid which maintains the lubrication
of heart.
Myocardium
Middle layer of heart made of caradiac
muscle tissue.
Makes up the bulk of heart.
Myocardium is responsible for pumping of
heart. Endocardium
Innermost layer of heart.
Made up of thin layer of epithelial tissue.
Provides smooth lining for chambers of heart
and covers the valves of heart.
Chambers of the heart
Heart is made of four
chambers.
The two chambers on
the right side are
known as Right atrium
and Right ventricle.
The chambers on the
left side are known as
Left atrium and Left
ventricle.
The heart has four chambers.
The two superior receiving chambers are the atria, and
the two inferior pumping chambers are the ventricles.
Right Atrium
Left Atrium
Right Ventricles
Left Ventricles
Right Atrium:
Present on the upper right side of the heart.
Receives deoxygenated blood from superior and inferior vena
cava.
Superior vena cava present at the upper side and Inferior vena
cava present at the lower side of right atrium.
Average thickness of wall is 2-3 mm.
Left Atrium:
Present on the upper left side of the heart.
Receive oxygenated blood from lungs through pulmonary veins.
Smaller in shape compared to Right atrium.
Four pulmonary veins opens in the left atrium.
Right ventricle:
Present below the right atrium.
Receives Deoxygenated blood from the right atrium.
Forms a large part of heart.
Average thickness of wall is 3-5 mm.
Left ventricle:
Present below the left atrium.
Receives oxygenated blood from left atrium.
The wall of left ventricle is 2-3 times thicker than right
ventricle.
Average thickness of wall is 10-15 mm.
Valves of Heart
Heart consists of 4 types of valves:
Tricuspid valve
Bicuspid valve
Pulmonary valve
Aortic valve
Tricuspid Valve:
Also known as Right Atrioventricular valve.
It separates the right atrium from right ventricle.
Prevents backflow of blood into atrium.
Bicuspid Valve:
Also known as left atrioventricular valve.
It lies between left atrium and left ventricle.
It Prevents backflow of blood into atrium.
Pulmonary valve:
Also known as semilunar valve.
It lies between right ventricle and pulmonary
artery.
It prevents backflow of blood into pulmonary
artery.
Aortic valve:
Also known as semilunar valve.
It lies between aorta and left ventricle.
It prevents backflow of blood in Aorta.
Blood vessels
The heart pumps the blood into blood vessels
that vary in structure, size and function.
Blood vessels are mainly of 3 types, Arteries,
Veins and Capillaries.
