How the Heart Works?
How does the heart function?
The heart is a powerful muscle, slightly larger than a clenched fist. It works as a pump to send oxygen-rich blood through all parts of the body. Blood contains oxygen and nutrients that every cell in the body needs to survive. The oxygen-rich blood travels throughout the arteries and vessels, nourishing the body so it can function properly.
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The flow of blood
The heart is divided into two sides. Each side is divided again into two chambers, the atrium (upper chamber) and ventricle (lower chamber). Blood vessels (veins) carry blood
to the heart from the rest of the body. This blood carries carbon dioxide and cellular waste products. The blood goes into the right atrium and then to the right ventricle where it is then pumped to the lungs to dispose of wastes and receive fresh oxygen supply.
From the lungs, the blood returns to the heart. It returns to the left atrium and then goes into the left ventricle. The blood is then pumped out of the heart by the left ventricle into the aorta.
The left ventricle is the chamber of the heart responsible for pumping blood to all parts of
the body. The aorta sends this blood to small arteries, which carry the oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body.
Heart valves
There are four heart valves. They are all one-way valves to keep blood moving through the various chambers of the heart.
The mitral valve guards the opening between the atrium and the ventricle in the left side of the heart. It allows blood to flow forward from the atrium to the ventricle, and prevents blood from flowing backwards.
The aortic valve, also called a semi-lunar valve, has three segments that prevent the return of the blood from the aorta to the left ventricle.
The pulmonary valve is located at the junction of the pulmonary artery and the right ventricle. When the right ventricle contracts, the pulmonary valve opens, forcing
blood into the artery leading to the lungs.
The tricuspid valve is located between the upper and lower chamber in the right side of the heart. Its position corresponds to the mitral valve in the left side of the heart.
How the Heart Works
Coronary arteries
The right and left coronary arteries branch off the aorta and then divide into smaller branches, supplying all portions of the heart with blood and oxygen. For the heart to function properly, it must receive a continuous supply of fresh, oxygen-enriched blood. The coronary arteries surround the heart and carry the blood, which nourishes the heart muscle.