Heart structure and function

Human Heart Human Heart The heart is a muscular organ that is situated in the front of the chest. It pumps blood all through the body in a process called circulation. Apart from the heart, the blood vessels and blood as a unit constitute the cardiovascular system. Table of Contents • • • • • • • • • • • • • Introduction to the Human Heart The human heart is one of the most important organs responsible for sustaining life. It is a muscular organ with four chambers. The size of the heart is the size of about a clenched fist. The human heart functions throughout a person’s lifespan and is one of the most robust and hardest working muscles in the human body. Besides humans, most other animals also possess a heart that pumps blood throughout their bodies. Even invertebrates such as grasshoppers possess a heart like pumping organ, though they do not function the same way a human heart does. Also Refer:Â The Function of Heart The function of the heart in any organism is to maintain a constant flow of blood throughout the body. This replenishes oxygen and circulates nutrients among the cells and tissues. Following are the main functions of the heart: • One of the primary functions of the human heart is to pump blood throughout the body. • Blood delivers oxygen, hormones, glucose and other components to various parts of the body, including the human heart. • The heart also ensures that adequate blood pressure is maintained in the body There are two types of circulation within the b...

As your heart pumps blood, four valves open and close to make sure blood flows in the correct direction. As they open and close, they make two sounds that create the sound of a heartbeat. The four valves are the aortic valve, mitral valve, pulmonary valve and tricuspid valve. A heart murmur is often the first sign of a heart valve problem. Overview The anatomy of your heart includes four chambers. What is a heart valve? Your heart is a muscle that pumps blood throughout your body. Heart valves are parts of your heart that act like doors. They open and close to let blood flow from one area of your heart to another. They help ensure that blood moves at the right time and in the correct direction. As the valves open and close, they create two sounds, which are your heartbeat. The four valves of the heart are: • Aortic valve. • Mitral valve. • Pulmonary valve (or pulmonic valve). • Tricuspid valve. Function How do the heart valves work? A healthy heart transports blood in a predictable route through four chambers. The four chambers are the left and right atria on the top of your heart and the left and right ventricles on the bottom. Between chambers, there are valves, which are made of thin but strong flaps of tissue. They’re called leaflets or cusps. The valves open and close to help blood move along its path: • Blood that needs oxygen flows from your body into the right atrium. • It then flows through the tricuspid valve to the right ventricle. • The right ventricle pumps th...