Parts of the heart

Vena Cava Carries deoxygenated blood from the body to the heart Semilunar Valve Flaps that prevent backflow of blood Left Atrium Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs Left Ventricle Region of the heart that pumps blood to the body Pulmonary Artery Carries blood to the lungs Right Ventricle Region of the heart that pumps blood to the lungs Pulmonary Vein Carries blood from the lungs Right Atrium Segment of the heart that receives deoxygenated blood Aorta The main artery carrying blood to all parts of the body

Lets now look at how blood flows through the heart.

Blood enters the heart through two large veins, the posterior (inferior) and the anterior (superior) vena cava, carrying deoxygenated blood from the body into the right atrium. Blood flows from the right atrium into the right ventricle through the tricuspid valve. When the ventricles are full, the tricuspid valve shuts to prevent blood flowing backward into the atrium. Blood leaves the heart through the pulmonic valve, into the pulmonary artery and flows to the lungs. The pulmonary vein carries oxygen-rich blood from the lungs into the left atrium. Blood flows from the left atrium into the left ventricle through the open mitral valve. When the ventricles are full, the mitral valve shuts to prevent blood from flowing backward into the atrium. Blood leaves the heart through the aortic valve, into the aorta and to the rest of the body.

A hollow, muscular organ, which, by contracting rhythmically, keeps up the circulation of the blood. The seat of the affections or sensibilities, collectively or separately, as love, hate, joy, grief, courage, and the like; rarely, the seat of the understanding or will; -- usually in a good sense, when no epithet is expressed; the better or lovelier part of our nature; the spring of all our actions and purposes; the seat of moral life and character; the moral affections and character itself; the individual disposition and character; as, a good, tender, loving, bad, hard, or selfish heart. The nearest the middle or center; the part most hidden and within; the inmost or most essential part of any body or system; the source of life and motion in any organization; the chief or vital portion; the center of activity, or of energetic or efficient action; as, the heart of a country, of a tree, etc.