Anatomy of the Heart
The heart is divided into four chambers that work together to pump blood efficiently. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body through the superior and inferior vena cava, while the left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins.
Blood flows from the atria into the ventricles through valves. The tricuspid valve connects the right atrium to the right ventricle, and the mitral valve connects the left atrium to the left ventricle. These valves prevent blood from flowing backward.
The pulmonary valve and aortic valve control blood flow out of the ventricles. The pericardium is a protective sac surrounding the entire heart.
Did you know? Your heart will beat approximately 2.5 billion times during your lifetime, continuously pumping blood through about 60,000 miles of blood vessels in your body!
