Human heart
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The human heart is a muscular organ located in the chest cavity, slightly to the left of the midline. It is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body via the circulatory system. The heart consists of four chambers: two upper atria and two lower ventricles. Blood flows through these chambers in a specific sequence, driven by rhythmic contractions of the heart muscle.
The heart's main functions include:
- Receiving deoxygenated Blood from the body and pumping it to the lungs for oxygenation.
- Receiving oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumping it throughout the body to supply tissues and organs.
Development of human heart
[edit | edit source]The human heart develops from a simple tube in the early embryo, which undergoes looping, septation, and maturation to form a four-chambered organ capable of efficient blood circulation by the end of the embryonic period.
Structure of the human heart
[edit | edit source]The human heart is a four-chambered organ with two atria (upper chambers) and two ventricles (lower chambers). It has four main valves: the tricuspid valve between the right atrium and right ventricle, the pulmonary valve between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery, the mitral valve between the left atrium and left ventricle, and the aortic valve between the left ventricle and aorta. The heart is encased in a protective sac called the pericardium and has a muscular wall called the myocardium, which is responsible for its contractions. Blood flow through the heart follows a specific pathway, ensuring oxygenation and systemic circulation.
See also
[edit | edit source]Cardiology/Acute coronary syndrome