Title: Study Notes - Structure and Function of the Heart

Introduction:

The heart is a vital organ responsible for pumping blood throughout the body, supplying oxygen
and nutrients to tissues and organs. It plays a central role in the circulatory system. This set of
study notes will provide a comprehensive overview of the structure and function of the heart.

I. Structure of the Heart:

1. Chambers:

- The heart consists of four chambers: two atria and two ventricles.

- The atria (singular: atrium) are the upper chambers that receive blood returning to the heart.

- The ventricles are the lower chambers responsible for pumping blood out of the heart.

2. Walls and Septum:

- The walls of the heart are composed of cardiac muscle tissue, known as myocardium.

- The myocardium is thicker in the ventricles compared to the atria, reflecting their different roles
in pumping blood.

- The heart is divided into left and right sides by a muscular septum that prevents oxygen-rich
and oxygen-poor blood from mixing.

3. Valves:

- The heart has four valves that ensure one-way blood flow.

- The atrioventricular (AV) valves separate the atria and ventricles, while the semilunar valves
are located at the exits of the ventricles.

- The AV valves are the tricuspid valve on the right side and the mitral (bicuspid) valve on the
left side.
- The semilunar valves are the pulmonary valve in the right side and the aortic valve in the left
side.

II. Function of the Heart:

1. Blood Circulation:

- The heart pumps oxygenated blood from the lungs to the rest of the body and returns
deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation.

- The right side of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the body and pumps it to the
lungs for oxygenation.

- The left side of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it to the body's
tissues and organs.

2. Cardiac Cycle:

- The cardiac cycle consists of systole (contraction) and diastole (relaxation) phases.

- During systole, the ventricles contract, forcing blood out of the heart into the arteries.

- During diastole, the ventricles relax, allowing them to refill with blood.

3. Electrical Conduction:

- The heart has a specialized electrical conduction system that coordinates its rhythmic
contractions.

- The sinoatrial (SA) node, located in the right atrium, initiates the electrical impulses, causing
the atria to contract.

- The impulses then travel to the atrioventricular (AV) node, and subsequently, through the
bundle of His and Purkinje fibers, causing the ventricles to contract.

4. Regulation of Heart Rate:

- The heart rate is regulated by the autonomic nervous system.

- The sympathetic nervous system increases heart rate and contractility, while the
parasympathetic nervous system (via the vagus nerve) decreases heart rate.

Conclusion:

The heart is a remarkable organ with a specialized structure and function. Its four chambers,
walls, septum, and valves work together to facilitate efficient blood circulation. Understanding
the structure and function of the heart is essential for comprehending its role in maintaining a
continuous blood flow and delivering oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues and organs.