21

Anatomy of the Heart UNIT OUTLINE

Heart Anatomy
Activity 1: Examining the Functional
Anatomy of the Heart
Activity 2: Dissecting a Mammalian
Heart
Activity 3: Reviewing the Microscopic
Structure of Cardiac Muscle Tissue

Blood Flow Patterns through

the Heart
Activity 4: Tracing Circulatory Pathways

T
he cardiovascular system—the blood, heart, and blood vessels—delivers
oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and other vital substances to the tissues of the
body and then transports waste materials from the body cells to their elim-
ination sites. In the previous unit, you studied the components and functions of
blood. In this unit you will examine the gross and microscopic features of the heart
that enable it to beat 100,000 times each day and to pump over 5 liters of blood
every minute—without ever resting—for your entire lifetime. Then, in the next
unit, you will explore the physiology of the heart.

T h i n k A b o u T i T Name three specific tissue types predominant in the

heart, and describe the function of each.
1. _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________ ▪

427
PRE-LAB ASSIGNMENTS Pre-lab quizzes are also assignable
in

To maximize learning, BEFORE your lab period carefully read this entire lab unit
and complete these pre-lab assignments using your textbook, lecture notes, and
prior knowledge.

P R E - L A B Activity 1: Examining the Functional Anatomy of the Heart

1. Use the list of terms to label the accompanying illustration of the heart. Check off each term as you
label it.

□ aorta □ left ventricle □ right ventricle

□ mitral (bicuspid) valve □ pulmonary valve □ superior vena cava

□ aortic valve □ pulmonary trunk □ tricuspid valve

□ left atrium □ right atrium

b
g

c
h

d
i

e
j

428
 UN IT 21 | Anatomy of the Heart 429

2. Match each of the following structures with its correct description.

_____ a. right atrium 1. “heart strings”

_____ b. chordae tendineae 2. receives blood from the pulmonary veins
_____ c. bicuspid valve 3. pumps blood to the pulmonary trunk
_____ d. aorta 4. arises from the right ventricle
_____ e. left ventricle 5. left atrioventricular valve
_____ f. left atrium 6. receives blood from the venae cavae
_____ g. pulmonary trunk 7. largest artery in the body
_____ h. tricuspid valve 8. right atrioventricular valve
_____ i. right ventricle 9. pumps blood to the aorta

P R E - L A B Activity 2: Dissecting a Mammalian Heart

1. Distinguish between the base of the heart and the apex 3. To examine the internal anatomy of the heart, you will
of the heart. ___________________________________ make which type of cut? _________________________
_____________________________________________
2. Name the three layers of the heart wall and circle the
layer that is also called the visceral pericardium. _______
_____________________________________________

P R E - L A B Activity 3: Reviewing the Microscopic Structure of Cardiac Muscle Tissue

1. Use the list of terms to label the accompanying photomicrograph of cardiac muscle tissue.
Check off each term as you label it.
□ cardiac muscle fibers □ nucleus

□ intercalated disc □ striations

LM (775×)
430 U NI T 2 1 | Anatomy of the Heart

2. Which layer of the heart wall is composed predominantly of cardiac muscle tissue?
a. epicardium
b. myocardium
c. endocardium

P R E - L A B Activity 4: Tracing Circulatory Pathways

1. Which blood vessel returns deoxygenated blood to the 3. Which of the following structures branches directly
right atrium? from the ascending aorta?
a. pulmonary vein d. inferior vena cava a. marginal artery d. pulmonary trunk
b. aorta e. cardiac vein b. coronary sinus e. circumflex artery
c. pulmonary artery c. left coronary artery
2. Which structure prevents the backflow of blood from
the right ventricle into the right atrium?
a. pulmonary semilunar valve d. bicuspid valve
b. tricuspid valve e. mitral valve
c. aortic semilunar valve

Heart Anatomy the heart at its broad base, and the inferior tip of the heart is
NOTE: There is a typo in the part (b) caption– percardium should be pericardium–
that was carried over from the Amermancalled apex
thedid
figure, we (Figure
not correct it. 21-2)
The heart is a fist-sized, four-chambered muscular pump The pericardium (Figure 21-1b) consists of an outer, dense
lying within the mediastinum of the thoracic cavity irregular connective tissue layer—the fibrous pericardium—
(Figure 21-1a) and surrounded by a double-layered mem- that anchors the heart to surrounding structures, and an
brane called the pericardium. Blood vessels enter and leave inner serous pericardium composed of two layers separated

Heart inside the

pericardium

Fibrous pericardium

Serous pericardium:
Parietal pericardium
Visceral pericardium
(epicardium)

Pericardial
cavity
Myocardium
Endocardium
Right Left
lung lung
Heart wall

Diaphragm Fibrous pericardium

fused to the diaphragm
(a) The heart in the pericardium (b) The layers of the percardium and the heart wall

Figure 21-1 The pericardium and layers of the heart wall.

 UN IT 21 | Anatomy of the Heart 431

by a narrow serous fluid-filled cavity called the pericardial
cavity. Pericardial fluid reduces friction during muscu-
lar contraction. The outer layer of the serous pericardium,
the parietal pericardium, is fused to the fibrous pericar-
dium, whereas the inner layer of the serous pericardium, the
visceral pericardium, is attached to the heart muscle and
forms the epicardium, the outer layer of the heart wall. The
heart wall also contains a middle muscular layer called the
myocardium and an inner layer called the endocardium.
The endocardium is composed of a specialized simple squa-
mous epithelium that rests on a thin layer of areolar connec-
tive tissue, and it is continuous with the innermost lining of
blood vessels throughout the body.
Figure 21-2 illustrates the major structural features of the
heart. Two superior thin-walled chambers, called atria, re-
ceive and direct blood coming into the heart. On the outer

Superior vena Aortic arch

cava Ascending
Ligamentum Aortic arch aorta
Right arteriosum
pulmonary Superior
Left Left
artery vena cava
pulmonary pulmonary
Ascending artery artery
Right
aorta Pulmonary pulmonary
trunk Left artery
Base pulmonary
Left veins
Right Right
pulmonary
pulmonary pulmonary
veins
veins Left atrium veins
Auricle
Auricle of left atrium Coronary Right
of right atrium sinus
Circumflex artery atrium
Right
coronary Left ventricle Inferior
Left
artery (in ventricle vena cava
Anterior
atrioventricular
interventricular
sulcus) Right
artery (in
anterior ventricle
Right ventricle
interventricular
sulcus)
Inferior vena
cava Apex

(a) Anterior view of the external heart (b) Posterior view of the external heart

AV valves:
Ascending aorta
Mitral (bicuspid) valve:
Pulmonary trunk
Cusps
Pulmonary valve
Fibrous ring Posterior
Opening of Left atrium
Tricuspid valve:
superior
Cusps
vena cava
Openings of left Fibrous ring
pulmonary veins
Fossa ovalis
in the interatrial
septum Aortic valve

Right atrium Mitral (bicuspid)

valve
Pectinate
muscles Chordae
Semilunar valves:
tendineae Fibrous
Tricuspid valve Aortic valve: skeleton
Papillary muscle Cusps of the
Fibrous ring heart
Right ventricle Left ventricle
Pulmonary valve:
Trabeculae Interventricular Cusps
septum Anterior
carneae Fibrous ring

(c) Internal anatomy of the heart, frontal section (d) The four valves of the heart (superior view, atria removed)

Figure 21-2 Heart anatomy.

432 U NI T 2 1 | Anatomy of the Heart
surface of each atrium is a flap-like structure called an au-
ricle. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from
the superior and inferior venae cavae of the systemic circuit
and the coronary sinus (Figure 21-2b) of the coronary circu-
lation; the left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the
four pulmonary veins of the pulmonary circuit. (Note: You
will study the circulatory pathways—systemic circuit, pul-
monary circuit, and coronary circulation—later in this unit.)
Lining the right atrium are comb-like muscular ridges called
pectinate muscles, which provide additional strength to the
atrial wall. The atria are separated by a thin wall called the
interatrial septum. A depression in the interatrial septum
called the fossa ovalis (Figure 21-2c) is the remnant of the
foramen ovale, an opening between the right and left atria
by which the pulmonary circuit is bypassed in the fetus.
Two inferior thick-walled chambers, called ventricles,
pump blood. The right ventricle receives deoxygenated
blood from the right atrium and pumps it into the pulmonary
circuit via the pulmonary trunk (see Figure 21-2a), which
branches into the left and right pulmonary arteries. Also note
a band of connective tissue at the point where the pulmonary
trunk branches into the right artery and left pulmonary ar-
teries. This structure, called the ligamentum arteriosum, is
a remnant of the ductus arteriosus, a fetal blood vessel that
shunts blood from the pulmonary trunk to the aorta, thereby
bypassing the lungs. The left ventricle receives oxygenated
blood from the left atrium and pumps it into the systemic cir-
cuit via the ascending aorta. Both ventricular walls are char-
acterized by the presence of a distinct network of muscular
ridges called trabeculae carneae (see Figure 21-2c).
Four valves within the heart ensure that blood contin-
ues flowing in one direction only (see Figure 21-2c and d).
The tricuspid valve (or right atrioventricular valve) pre-
vents backflow of blood from the right ventricle to the right
Making Connections: Heart Anatomy
Structure Description (Structure and/or Function)
Epicardium  
Myocardium  
Endocardium  
Right atrium Thin-walled receiving chamber that receives blood from the
superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, and coronary sinus
Right ventricle  
Left atrium  
atrium. The mitral (bicuspid) valve (or left atrioventric-
ular valve) prevents backflow of blood from the left ven-
tricle to the left atrium. In addition, two other valves—the
pulmonary valve (or pulmonary semilunar valve) within the
pulmonary trunk, and the aortic valve (or aortic semilunar
valve) within the aorta—open when the contracting ventri-
cles pump blood into the arteries and then close to prevent
blood from flowing back into the ventricles. The tricuspid
and mitral (bicuspid) valves are anchored to the papillary
muscles of the ventricular wall by structures called chordae
tendineae (see Figure 21-2c).
ACTIVITY 1
Examining the Functional Anatomy
of the Heart
Learning Outcomes
1. Locate and identify the major anatomical structures of the heart
on a heart model and describe the function of each.
2. Locate and identify the major blood vessels associated with the
heart on a heart model.
3. Explain the changes that occur in the fetal heart after birth.
Materials Needed
□ Heart models
□ Anatomical charts
Instructions
CHART Locate on a heart model each of the structures in
the following Making Connections chart. Then write brief
descriptions of its structure and function. Finally, make
“connections” to things you have already learned in lecture,
assigned readings, and lab.
Connections to Things I Have Already Learned
 
“myo” = muscle
myoglobin, myofilament
 
 
 
An atrium is an entry chamber
 UN IT 21 | Anatomy of the Heart 433

Structure Description (Structure and/or Function) Connections to Things I Have Already Learned
Left ventricle    

Tricuspid valve Prevents backflow of blood from the right ventricle to the right  
atrium

Mitral (bicuspid) valve    

Pulmonary trunk   A trunk is a blood vessel that gives rise to other blood vessels

Pulmonary valve    

Aorta    
• Ascending aorta
• Aortic arch
• Descending aorta

Aortic valve Prevents backflow of blood from the aorta to left ventricle  

Chordae tendineae    

Papillary muscle    

Coronary sinus   A sinus is an enlarged vein. Superior sagittal sinus collects

venous blood in brain

Inferior vena cava    

Superior vena cava Large vein that receives deoxygenated blood from the upper  
body and returns it to the right atrium

Pulmonary veins    

Fossa ovalis Depression in interatrial septum; remnant of the foramen ovale  

Ligamentum    
arteriosum

Optional Activity
Practice labeling heart structures on human hearts at
™
> Study Area > Practice Anatomy Lab >
Human Cadaver: Cardiovascular System > Heart
434 U NI T 2 1 | Anatomy of the Heart

ACTIVITY 2 A. External Anatomy

1. Identify the pericardial sac (if still present). Using a pair
Dissecting a Mammalian Heart of scissors, carefully cut through the pericardial sac and
Learning Outcomes
remove the fibrous pericardium, a thick layer of fibrous
connective and adipose tissue that is the outer layer of the
1. Dissect a mammalian heart and locate selected anatomical
pericardial sac. Note that the parietal layer of the serous
structures.
pericardium lines the fibrous pericardium and will be re-
2. Describe the relationship between the fibrous pericardium
and the serous pericardium.
moved with the fibrous pericardium. The visceral layer of
3. Identify the epicardium, myocardium, and endocardium.
the serous pericardium—also known as the epicardium—
is a thin, transparent layer on the surface of the heart.
Materials Needed 2. Distinguish between the heart’s broad superior aspect
□ Dissecting tray (base) and its pointed inferior aspect (apex) (Figure 21-3a).
□ Dissecting instruments Now, orient the heart so that the auricles face you, and dis-
□ Disposable gloves tinguish between the anterior and posterior surfaces of the
□ Safety goggles heart. (The atria are beneath the auricles.)
□ Preserved mammalian heart
3. Identify each of the following structures. Discuss the
Instructions function of each structure with your lab group and then
This activity involves the dissection of a preserved mammalian write a brief description of that function:
heart. Although the instructions and figures relate to the sheep a. Aorta ______________________________________
heart—which is very similar to the human heart in both struc-
ture and size—they can be used for other mammalian hearts. ____________________________________________

1. Put on disposable gloves and safety goggles. b. Pulmonary trunk ______________________________

2. Obtain a dissecting tray, dissecting instruments, and a ____________________________________________

preserved heart. c. Superior vena cava _____________________________
3. Rinse the heart thoroughly with cold water to remove ____________________________________________
excess preservative. Run water through the large blood
vessels to flush blood clots out of the heart.

Brachiocephalic Aorta Aortic valve

artery
Right atrium

Base of the heart Superior

(underneath fat) vena cava

Right Bicuspid
Pulmonary
atrium valve
trunk

Left atrium

Tricuspid
valve

Myocardium
Chordae
tendineae
Right ventricle

Left ventricle
Trabeculae
Interventricular carneae
septum

Apex of the
heart
(a) External anatomy (anterior view) (b) Internal anatomy (coronal section)

Figure 21-3 A sheep heart.


d. Inferior vena cava _____________________________
____________________________________________
e. Pulmonary veins ______________________________
____________________________________________
f. Ventricles ___________________________________
____________________________________________
g. Atria ______________________________________
____________________________________________
How do the locations of the superior and inferior venae
cavae in a sheep heart differ from those of the human
heart? ________________________________________
______________________________________________
4. Locate the adipose-filled anterior interventricular
sulcus between the ventricles. Carefully remove
some of the adipose tissue to expose the anterior
interventricular artery and the cardiac vein.
Predict the function of the anterior interventricular
artery. ________________________________________
______________________________________________
Predict the function of the cardiac vein. _______________
______________________________________________
5. Locate the atrioventricular sulcus separating the atria
from the ventricles. Carefully remove some of the adi-
pose tissue to expose the thin-walled coronary sinus,
which empties into the right atrium.
B. Internal Anatomy
1. Using a knife with a 5-inch blade, make a frontal
(coronal) section (see Figure 21-3b) by cutting at the
apex and continuing toward the base until the section is
complete.
2. Identify each of the following structures. Discuss the
function of each structure with your lab group and then
write a brief description of that function:
a. Epicardium _________________________________
____________________________________________
b. Myocardium _________________________________
____________________________________________
c. Endocardium ________________________________
____________________________________________
UN IT 21 | Anatomy of the Heart 435
d. Interventricular septum _________________________
____________________________________________
e. Tricuspid valve _______________________________
____________________________________________
f. Bicuspid valve _______________________________
____________________________________________
g. Pulmonary valve ______________________________
____________________________________________
h. Aortic valve _________________________________
____________________________________________
i. Chordae tendineae ____________________________
____________________________________________
j. Papillary muscles _____________________________
____________________________________________
Compare and contrast the structure of the tricuspid and
bicuspid valves. __________________________________
______________________________________________
Compare and contrast the structure of the right and left
ventricles. _______________________________________
______________________________________________
3. Dispose of the sheep heart, wash the dissecting tray and
instruments, and disinfect the lab table as directed by
your lab instructor.
4. Optional Activity
Practice labeling heart structures on cat and sheep hearts at
™
> Study Area > Practice Anatomy Lab >
Cat > Cardiovascular System > Images 14–17
Cardiac Muscle Tissue
Cardiac muscle tissue (Figure 21-4) is the predominant tissue
type of the heart. Cardiac muscle fibers are short, branched,
uninucleate cells filled with the contractile proteins action and
myosin. The regular arrangement of the actin and myosin pro-
duces striations giving the cells a striped appearance. Individ-
ual cardiac muscle fibers are connected by structures called
intercalated discs. Intercalated discs contain both desmosomes
(anchoring junctions that prevent cardiac muscle fibers from
pulling apart during contraction) and gap junctions (junctions
that allow the movement of materials from one cell to the next).
436 U NI T 2 1 | Anatomy of the Heart

Cardiac muscle tissue makes up the bulk of which heart

Cardiac muscle fiber Striations
Figure 21-4 Cardiac muscle anatomy.
wall layer? _____________________________________
Describe the appearance of cardiac muscle fibers. _______
______________________________________________
2. Name the two types of membrane junctions in interca-
lated discs. Then explain the physiological significance
of each.
a. ____________________________________________
____________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________
____________________________________________
LM (256×)
Nuclei Intercalcated discs 3. How are cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle similar?
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
4. How are cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle different?

ACTIVITY 3 ______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Reviewing the Microscopic Structure
of Cardiac Muscle Tissue 5. Optional Activity
Learning Outcomes View and label histology slides of cardiac muscle tissue at
™
1. Review the histological characteristics of cardiac muscle tissue. > Study Area > Practice Anatomy Lab >
2. Explain the physiological significance of intercalated discs. Histology > Cardiovascular System > Images 18–21

Materials Needed
□ Microscope and slide (or photomicrograph) of cardiac
muscle tissue Blood Flow Patterns through
Instructions the Heart
1. View cardiac muscle tissue under high power (or in The heart is a double pump; each time the two ventricles
a photomicrograph). Sketch what you observe and contract, blood is ejected into both the pulmonary trunk
label cardiac muscle fiber, intercalated disc, striations, and the aorta. Deoxygenated blood ejected into the pul-
nucleus, and endomysium. monary trunk by the right ventricle enters the pulmonary
circuit (Figure 21-5a). The deoxygenated blood flows to the
lungs, where it gives up carbon dioxide and picks up oxygen
in the pulmonary capillaries; oxygenated blood is then re-
turned to the left atrium. Oxygenated blood pumped by the
left ventricle through the aorta enters the systemic circuit
(Figure 21-5b) and is distributed to all parts of the body be-
fore returning to the right atrium via one of the venae cavae.
A branch of the systemic circuit—the coronary
circulation—supplies the myocardium with the oxygen and
nutrients needed for muscle contraction. The right and left
coronary arteries (Figure 21-6) branch from the ascend-
ing aorta and encircle the heart in the atrioventricular (cor-
onary) sulcus. The right coronary artery branches into the
marginal artery and the posterior interventricular artery.
Total magnification: _____ × The left coronary artery branches into the circumflex artery
 UN IT 21 | Anatomy of the Heart 437

1 Deoxygenated blood is 2 Gas exchange occurs

pumped to the lungs by
the right side of the heart.
between alveoli and blood
in the pulmonary capillaries.
1 Oxygenated blood is
pumped to the body by Systemic capillaries
the left side of the heart. of the upper body

2 Gas exchange
occurs between
tissues and blood
in the systemic
Pulmonary capillaries.
capillaries

Right Left
lung lung 3 Deoxygenated
blood is returned to Right Left
the right side of the heart heart
Right Left heart.
heart heart
3 Oxygenated blood
is returned to the Systemic capillaries
left side of the heart. of the lower body

(a) The pulmonary circuit (b) The systemic circuit

Figure 21-5 The pulmonary and systemic circuits.

and the anterior interventricular artery (clinically known Capillaries drain into venules, which fuse to form veins.
as the left anterior descending branch or LAD). Arteries The myocardium is drained by the great, middle, and small
branch into smaller arterial vessels and eventually into cap- cardiac veins (Figure 21-7), all of which eventually empty
illaries, where oxygen, nutrients, and wastes are exchanged. into the coronary sinus, which drains into the right atrium.

Left coronary artery

Area supplied by
circumflex artery
Circumflex artery
Circumflex
artery
Right coronary Area supplied by right
artery coronary artery Right coronary
artery
Marginal artery

Area supplied by anterior Posterior

Anterior
interventricular artery interventricular
interventricular
artery artery
Anterior view Posterior view

Figure 21-6 The coronary circulation, distribution of the coronary arteries.

438 U NI T 2 1 | Anatomy of the Heart

Area drained by
great cardiac vein
Small cardiac vein Great cardiac
vein

Area drained by Coronary sinus

Great cardiac vein middle cardiac vein

Posterior vein
of left ventricle
Anterior Area drained by
small cardiac vein Middle cardiac
interventricular
vein
vein
Anterior view Posterior view

Figure 21-7 The coronary circulation, distribution of the coronary veins.

B. Systemic Circuit
ACTIVITY 4 Locate each of the following heart structures and blood ves-
Tracing Circulatory Pathways sels on anatomical models and charts as you trace the pathway
of a drop of blood from the heart (left ventricle) to the cells of
Learning Outcomes
the right ovary and back to the heart (right atrium). Check off
1. Distinguish between the pulmonary and systemic circulations. each heart structure or blood vessel as you locate it.
2. Trace the flow of blood through the major blood vessels □ left ventricle □ gonadal artery
in the pulmonary circuit.
□ ascending aorta □ arterioles
3. Trace the flow of blood through the major blood vessels
□ aortic arch □ capillary bed of ovary
in the systemic circuit.
□ descending aorta □ gonadal vein
4. Trace the flow of blood through the major blood vessels
□ thoracic aorta □ inferior vena cava
in the coronary circulation.
□ abdominal aorta □ right atrium
Materials Needed C. Coronary Circulation
□ Heart models Locate each of the following heart structures and blood ves-
□ Miscellaneous anatomical models and charts showing blood sels on anatomical models and charts as you trace the path-
vessels way of a drop of blood from the heart (left ventricle) to the
cells of the posterior ventricular wall and back to the heart
Instructions (right atrium). Check off each heart structure or blood ves-
A. Pulmonary Circuit sel as you locate it.
□ left ventricle
Locate each of the following heart structures and blood ves-
□ ascending aorta
sels on anatomical models and charts as you trace the path-
□ right coronary artery
way of a drop of blood from the heart (right ventricle) to the
□ posterior interventricular artery
left lung and back to the heart (left atrium). Check off each
□ smaller arteries
heart structure or blood vessel as you locate it.
□ arterioles
□ right ventricle □ capillary bed of lungs
□ capillary bed of ventricular wall
□ pulmonary trunk □ venules
□ venules
□ left pulmonary artery □ left pulmonary veins
□ cardiac vein
□ left lobar artery □ left atrium
□ coronary sinus
□ arteries
□ right atrium
□ arterioles
 Post-lab quizzes are also assignable POST-LAB ASSIGNMENTS
in

Name: ______________________________________________________________ Date: ______________________ Lab Section: __________

PART I. Check Your Understanding

Activity 1: Examining the Functional Anatomy of the Heart

1. Identify the components of the heart.

a. __________________________________
a
b. __________________________________
f
c. __________________________________
d. __________________________________
e. __________________________________ b

f. __________________________________ g
g. __________________________________
h. __________________________________ h
i. __________________________________
j. __________________________________ i
k. __________________________________ c
l. __________________________________ j

d
k

l
e

L-G12 Giant Heart, 4-part, 3B Scientific ®

2. Which heart structure(s):

________________________________ a. anchor atrioventricular valves to the heart wall?
________________________________ b. receives oxygenated blood from the lungs?
________________________________ c. separates the right and left ventricles?
________________________________ d. pumps blood to the lungs?
________________________________ e. receives blood from the coronary sinus?
________________________________ f. prevents backflow of blood into the left ventricle?
________________________________ g. is a remnant of the foramen ovale?
________________________________ h. prevents backflow of blood into the right atrium

439
440 U NI T 2 1 | Anatomy of the Heart

Activity 2: Dissecting a Mammalian Heart

1. Identify the components of the sheep heart.

a. ________________________________ a
b. ________________________________
c. ________________________________ b

d. ________________________________
e. ________________________________ e

f. ________________________________
c f
g. ________________________________
h. ________________________________
i. ________________________________ d g

j. ________________________________
h
k. ________________________________
i
j Heart wall
layers
k

Activity 3: Reviewing the Microscopic Structure of Cardiac Muscle Tissue

1. Describe the appearance of a cardiac muscle fiber. _______________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________
2. What causes the striations in these cells? _______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. What are two functions of an intercalated disc? ___________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

Activity 4: Tracing Circulatory Pathways

1. Trace the pathway of blood from the heart (left ventricle) to the right adrenal gland and back to the
heart (right atrium). __________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

2. List the structures of the coronary pathway serving the anterior ventricular wall in order, beginning
in the left ventricle and ending in the right atrium. _______________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
 UN IT 21 | Anatomy of the Heart 441

3. Identify the events of the pulmonary and systemic circulations in the accompanying illustration.
Color blood vessels containing oxygenated blood red, color blood vessels containing deoxygenated
blood blue, and color capillary beds purple.
a. ________________________________
________________________________ a
Systemic
b. ________________________________ capillaries
________________________________
c. ________________________________ i
________________________________
d. ________________________________ h
________________________________ d
Pulmonary e e Pulmonary
e. ________________________________ capillaries f capillaries

________________________________ b

f. ________________________________ g
c
________________________________
g. ________________________________
i
________________________________
h. ________________________________
________________________________
i. ________________________________ Systemic
a capillaries
________________________________

PART II. Putting It All Together

A. Review Questions
Answer the following questions using your lecture notes, your textbook, and your lab notes.

1. Complete the following table.

Valve Location When Does the Valve Open?

Aortic valve   It is located between left ventricle and Aortic
  valve opens when the oxygenated blood from left ventricle is pumped
Aorta. by the Heart Wall, and it opens to let the oxygenated blood travel.

Bicuspid valve It  is located between the left atrium and left It  opens when there is a high pressure from the left atrium than ventricle.
ventricle.

By the increase of the pressure or contraction of muscular tissue to push

Pulmonary valve  
Between the right ventricle and the  
the blood out of the heart and into the artery.
Pulmonary artery.

2. The fetal structure _______________________________ shunts blood from the right atrium to
the left atrium. Its adult remnant is the ____________________________________________________.
442 U NI T 2 1 | Anatomy of the Heart

3. The fetal structure ________________________________

Foramen Ovale shunts blood from the pulmonary trunk
to the aorta. Its adult remnant is the ________________________________________________
Fossa Ovalis
____.
4. Are all cardiac muscle fibers contractile? Explain. ___________________________________________
No. Because there are some muscle fibers that doesn't contract and called peacemaker cells.
___________________________________________________________________________________
5. What is a myocardial infarction? Why is the anterior interventricular artery called the “widow-
maker”?A_______________________________________________________________________________
myocardial infarction is what we called Heart Attack, it happens when an artery supplying your heart with blood and oxygen becomes
blocked. It is called the widow-maker because it supplies the major portion of the left ventricle with blood, so when there is
___________________________________________________________________________________
occlusion of LAD, the patient can have heart attack.

B. Concept Mapping

1. Fill in the blanks to complete this concept map outlining heart anatomy.

atria endocardium interventricular septum ventricles visceral pericardium

HEART

3 layers of 4 heart
heart wall chambers

Epicardium Myocardium Endocardium

Also known as 2 pumping 2 receiving

chambers chambers
Visceral Pericardium
ventricles Atria

Separated by

Interventricular septum

2. Construct a unit concept map to show the relationships among the following set of
terms. Include all of the terms in your diagram. Your instructor may choose to assign
additional terms.

aorta atrioventricular valve atrium auricle

chordae tendineae coronary sinus desmosome endocardium

interventricular septum myocardium papillary muscle semilunar valve

superior vena cava ventricle visceral pericardium