Anatomy and Physiology

The Cardiovascular System

Thecardiovascular system contains the
heart, blood vessels (BVs), and blood.

Its function is to transport oxygen and

nutrients throughout the body. It does
this by circulating blood.

An average body contains ~5 liters of

blood but the heart pumps ~7,000
liters of blood daily while the heart
contracts ~2.5 billion times in an
average lifetime.
The Heart:
This
is a powerful
pump

Itis found in the

thoracic (chest)
cavity behind the
sternum and
mediastinum
Average heart size is
14 X 9 cm
Itis separated into
chambers: 2 right and
2 left (or 2 upper and 2
lower)
It
is covered by the pericardium (a
membrane) which has 2 layers:
◦ Visceral pericardium (covers the heart;
inner layer); a.k.a. epicardium

◦ Parietal pericardium (covers the visceral

pericardium; outer layer)

◦ The pericardial cavity is the space between

these layers which contains serous fluid

◦ Pericarditis is inflammation of the

pericardium usually caused by viral or
bacterial infection.
This is composed of 3 layers:

◦ Epicardium protects the heart (reduces

friction); this contains connective tissue &
adipose

◦ Myocardium is the middle layer; contains

mostly cardiac tissue

◦ Endocardium is the innermost layer;

contains epithelium & connective tissue and
elastic & collagenous fibers
The Heart Walls
Heart Chambers and Valves:

There are 4 chambers:

◦ The atria (sing. atrium) receive blood
◦ The ventricles send blood (from the atria)
Theright & left chambers are
separated by a wall called the septum.
There are several valves in the heart
that provide the main function of
regulating blood flow in ONE direction
only (prevents backflow).
The Heart Walls
and Chambers:

http://www.texasheartinstitute.org/HIC/Topic
s/images/myocard.jpg
◦ Atrioventricular valves ◦ Pulmonary valve: at
(a.k.a. A-V valves b/c the base of the
they are between the pulmonary trunk;
atria and ventricles): this enables blood to
there is 1 on the right leave the heart (and
& 1 on the left. flow to the lungs
 Tricuspid valve is thru the pulmonary
between the right atrium arteries); blood
and ventricle; blood flows out of the
flows from the right right ventricle
atrium to the right
ventricle.
◦ Aorta valve: at the
 Bicuspid valve is between base of the aorta (a
the left atrium and large artery); blood
ventricle; blood flows flows out of the left
from the left atrium to
the left ventricle.
ventricle

Heart Valves:
Heart Valves:

http://www.google.com/imgres
Pulmonary Circulation: (heart to lungs)
Pulmonary arteries: carry blood to lungs
Pulmonary veins: return blood from
lungs to heart (left side)

Systemic Circulation: (heart to rest of

body)
Aorta: main artery (largest) that pumps
blood from heart to all body tissues
(except lungs)
Superior & Inferior Vena Cava: bring
blood back into heart from body tissues.
Blood Flow Path: begins
with O2 poor blood:
Right Atrium Right Ventricle
Pulmonary Trunk Pulmonary
Arteries Alveoli of lungs for O2
Pulmonary Veins Left Atrium Left
Ventricle Aortic Valve Aorta
Body
http://www.google.com/imgres
 This coordinates the cardiac cycle
 Contains
the sinoatrial node (a.k.a. S-A node)
located beneath the epicardium:

◦ This acts as the pacemaker of the heart b/c it is

rhythmic (meaning it starts impulses, thereby
generating the heart’s rhythm).
 Contains
the atrioventricular node (a.k.a. A-V
node) located beneath the endocardium
 This
acts as the impulse conduction pathway
between the atria and ventricles

The Cardiac Conduction System:

Cardiac Cycle & Sounds:
http://www.google.com/imgres

The cardiac cycle is 1 heart

contraction AND 1 heart relaxation, or
a complete heartbeat.
Atrial systole is atrial contraction while
atrial diastole is atrial relaxation.
When listening to the heartbeat with a
stethoscope, it sounds like lubb-dupp.
The lubb is ventricular contraction
while the dupp is ventricular
relaxation.
A murmur is a sound that is heard when
there is slight damage to a valve of the
heart.

◦ The damage is the leaking of blood through a valve

b/c the valve does not completely close.

http://www.google.com/imgres
An electrocardiogram
(a.k.a. ECG) is a
recording of
electrical charges in
the myocardium
during a cardiac
cycle. http://www.google.com/imgres

Heart problems can

be detected with the
use of an ECG.

http://www.google.com/imgres
 Heart Regulation:
The heart rate can change(temporarily) by certain
factors:
 Neural (ANS) controls: stress
 Hormones & ions: changes or imbalances in
electrolytes (Ca++, Na+, K+), thyroxine, or
epinephrine
 Physical factors: temperature, age, gender

http://www.google.com/imgres
Blood Vessels (BVs):
These include the arteries, arterioles,
capillaries, venules and veins.
The arteries take blood away from the
heart; vasoconstriction & vasodilation
(opening & closing of an artery) controls
blood flow and blood pressure.

Oxygenated
Blood (red)

http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=92806&rendTypeId=34
 ◦ Tunica intima is the Arteries (& Veins)
innermost layer have 3 layers:
containing
endothelium (internal
epithelium) which helps
prevent blood clotting

◦ Tunica media is the

middle layer

◦ Tunica externa is the

outermost layer
The arterioles come
from the arteries http://www.medicalook.com/systems_images/Veins.jpg

(they are smaller

arteries)
Capillaries are the smallest BVs

◦ Found between arteries and

venules

◦ Gases & nutrients are exchanged

thru their membranes (semipermeable)
 This occurs by diffusion, filtration
& osmosis
The amount of capillaries found within a
tissue varies according to the tissue’s O2
requirement (more O2 required=more
capillaries)
http://biology.bangor.ac.uk/images/bsx1009/fig15-3
Venules are small veins
Veins carry blood to the heart from
the body; these run parallel to
arteries.
◦ Veins have 3 layers (like arteries) but not
as distinct

◦ Thinner walls than arteries

◦ Less elastic but greater diameter than

arteries

◦ Many contain valves which act as flaps

preventing backflow of blood
http://www.brvsa.com/venous.htm
 Varicose Veins:

http://www.brvsa.com/images/varicose2.jpg

http://www.brvsa.com/venous.htm

http://www.wakeradiology.com/Portals/0/Varicose1.jpg
VitalSigns: Arterial
pulse, blood
pressure, rate of
respiration, and
body temperature.

Pulse: each beat of

the left ventricle as
it travels through
the arterial system.

Physiology of Circulation:
 A pulse is felt at
certain points on
the body. This is
due to an artery
close to the
surface of the
skin.
 This is the
contraction and
relaxation of an
arterial wall.

http://www.google.com/imgres
Blood Pressure:
Blood pressure can be
defined as the force of blood
against BVs.
When the ventricles
contract with the
maximum pressure is the
systolic pressure.
When the ventricles relax
http://www.google.com/imgres
with the lowest pressure is
the diastolic pressure.
Heart action: this determines
the total volume of blood
entering the arterial system.
Blood volume: this is ~5
liters or 8% of body weight.
This equals the sum of the
elements and plasma.
Blood volume is
proportional to bp
(normally). When blood
volume decreases, bp
drops; dehydration will also
influence bp b/c it affects
blood volume.
http://www.google.com/imgres

Factors that Influence Blood Pressure:

Factors that Influence Blood Pressure:
Peripheral Resistance: this is the force of the
friction between blood and blood vessels. This
can hinder blood flow.
Blood viscosity: this is the ease with which
blood particles move past each other. Greater
viscosity=greater resistance.
Thicker blood (meaning it has more parts)
creates higher bp.

http://www.google.com/imgres
 Additional Factors that may influence blood
pressure:

ANS
RenalFactors (kidneys)
Temperature
Hormones
Diet

Factors that Influence Blood Pressure:

Lookup in text or online!
Know the following:

endocarditis, angina, infarct, ischemia,

fibrillation, tachycardia, bradycardia,
congestive heart failure, pulmonary
edema, varicose veins,
thrombophlebitis, hypotension,
hypertension, atherosclerosis, and
coronary artery disease
THE END!
 This slide show was developed by Dana Halloran,
 Cardinal Mooney High School, Sarasota, FL.

 Used with her personal permission,

 adapted and amended by Rosa Whiting,
 Manatee School for the Arts, Palmetto, FL.