Cardiovascular Homework

1. Describe the general characteristics of blood and distinguish among the 3 types of formed elements cells.

Answer: Blood is a red fluid that is sometimes considered connective tissue. It also has a pH of about 7.4 and it is slightly denser than water. 3 types of formed elements cell -Red blood cells carry oxygen and are erythrocytes -White blood cells fight infection and are leukocytes -Platelets are pieces of cells that clot blood and are thrombocytes

2. Name and describe the locations and functions of the major parts of the heart, including chambers, vessels, and valves.

Answer: The Chambers are: Left Atrium- Receives oxygenated blood from pulmonary veins and empties it into the left ventricle. Located on the left posterior side. Right Atrium- receives deoxygenated blood from the vena cavae and coronary sinus and empties it into the right ventricle. Located in the upper right corner of the heart. Left Ventricle- pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta via the tricuspid aortic valve; also forms the apex of the heart. Located in the bottom left portion of the heart below the left atrium. Right Ventricle- Pumps deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary trunk via the pulmonary valve. Located in the lower right portion of the heart below the right atrium. The Vessels are: Aorta- the Largest artery in the body; receives blood from the left ventricle via the aortic valve; branches into the left common carotid, left subclavian, and brachiocephalic trunk. It begins at the top of the left ventricle. Pulmonary Trunk- Artery that supports pulmonary circulation by carrying deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for gas exchange; the pulmonary trunk and its branching arteries are the only arteries in the body that carries deoxygenated blood. It originates from the right ventricle. It branches into the right and left pulmonary arteries, which lead to the lungs. Superior Vena Cava- Vein that drains deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body, which is received by the right atrium. Located in the anterior right superior mediastinum. Inferior Vena Cava- vein that brings deoxygenated blood from the lower half of the body, which is received by the right atrium. It Runs posterior, or behind, the abdominal cavity. This vein also runs alongside the right vertebral column of the spine Coronary Vessel- provide the heart tissue with blood; the coronary arteries supply blood to the heart tissue while the veins move oxygenated blood from the heart tissue into the right atrium. Originate as the right and left main coronary arteries, which exit the ascending aorta just above the aortic valve

2. Name and describe the locations and functions of the major parts of the heart, including chambers, vessels, and valves.

Answer: The Valves are: Tricuspid Valve- Closes off the upper right chamber that holds blood coming in from the body. Opens to allow blood to flow from the top right chamber to the lower right chamber. Prevents the back flow of blood from the ventricle to the atrium when blood is pumped out of the ventricle. Located on the right dorsal side of the mammalian heart, between the right atrium and the right ventricle. Pulmonary Valve- Closes off the lower right chamber. Opens to allow blood to be pumped from the heart to the lungs through the pulmonary artery where it will receive oxygen. located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. Mitral Valve- Closes off the upper left chamber collecting the oxygen-rich blood coming in from the lungs. Opens to allow blood to pass from the upper left side to the lower left side. Located between the left atrium and the left ventricle Aortic Valve- Closes off the lower left chamber that holds the oxygen-rich blood before it is pumped out to the body. Opens to allow blood to leave the heart from the left ventricle to the aorta and on to the body. Located between the left ventricle and the aorta.