Locate and record the function of the following structures o

Locate and record the function of the following structures of the heart. (Leave the heart in the body while locating these structures if possible. Locate and record the function of the following blood vessels: Make a frontal cut from the apex of the heart anteriorly to the atria. Identify the valves and then list and give the function of each valve.

Solution

1. Pericardial Sac - It is made of two layers - a serous layer and a fibrous layer. It encloses the pericardial cavity which contains pericardial fluid. The pericardium fixes the heart to the mediastinum, gives protection against infection, and provides the lubrication for the heart.

2. Ventricle - The ventricles are responsible for the pumping of blood through the blood vessels by their rhytmic contraction and relaxation.

3. Left Ventricle - The left ventricle receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium via the mitral valve and pumps it through the aorta via the aortic valve, into the systemic circulation.

4. Pulmonary Vein - The pulmonary veins receive oxygenated blood from the lungs and drain into the left atrium of the heart. There are four pulmonary veins, two from each lung.

5. Coronary Veins - The coronary veins collects blood from the heart muscle (myocardium). It delivers deoxygenated blood to the right atrium

6. Right Atrium - The right atrium receives and holds deoxygenated blood from the superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, anterior cardiac veins and smallest cardiac veins and the coronary veins.

7. Caudal Vena cava - The caudal vena cava is a large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower and middle body into the right atrium of the heart.

8. Aorta - The aorta delivers oxygenated blood pumped from the heart to the rest of the body. The aorta extends upward from the top of the main pumping chamber of the heart.

9. Sinus Venosus - The sinus venosus is the first chamber to receive the returning blood. It pumps the blood to the atrium.

10. Left Atrium - The left atrium receives oxygen rich blood from the lungs and and pumps it into the left ventricle of the heart.

11. Cranial Vena Cava - It receives blood from the upper half of the body (except the heart) and returns it to the right atrium.

12. Pulmonary Artery - It is the artery carrying blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation.

13. Coronary arteries - These are the arterial branches of the aorta.They supply oxygen-rich blood to the entire heart muscle.