The Heart

The heart, a complex muscular organ, pumps oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to every cell and tissue in the body. It resides in the chest between the lungs and consists of four chambers, valves, and an electrical system that controls its rhythm. The heart is vital for sustaining life.

Right Atrium

The right atrium gathers oxygen-poor blood from the body through the superior and inferior vena cava, then pumps it into the right ventricle. It is situated in the upper right part of the heart and is separated from the left atrium by a thin wall called the interatrial septum.

Right Ventricle

The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs to get oxygen. Unlike the left ventricle, it has thinner walls and less muscle because it only needs to pump blood a short distance through the pulmonary artery to the lungs.

Left Atrium

The left atrium receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and pumps it to the left ventricle. It's located in the top left part of the heart and separated from the right atrium by a thin wall called the interatrial septum. The blood comes from the pulmonary vein.

Left Ventricle

The left ventricle pumps oxygen-rich blood through the aortic valve, into the aorta, and to the rest of the body. It's in the lower left part of the heart and is separated from the right ventricle by a thick muscular wall called the interventricular septum.

Superior Vena Cava

The superior vena cava is a large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the heart. It collects blood from the arms, head, and neck and delivers it to the right atrium of the heart, where it is then pumped to the lungs to receive oxygen.

Inferior Vena Cava

The inferior vena cava (IVC) is a large vein that runs parallel to the spine and carries deoxygenated blood from the lower half of the body back to the heart. It is the largest vein in the body and plays a crucial role in the circulatory system.

Pulmonary Artery

The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs, where it is oxygenated, and carbon dioxide is removed.

Pulmonary Vein

The pulmonary vein is responsible for carrying oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the left atrium of the heart.

Aorta

The aorta is a crucial part of the circulatory system, as it is the largest artery in the body. It begins from the heart's left ventricle and carries oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body except the lungs.

Left Coronary Artery

The left coronary artery is a major blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the heart muscle. It branches off from the aorta. The left coronary artery divides into two main branches: the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the left circumflex artery (LCX). These branches provide blood to different regions of the left side of the heart.

Circumflex Artery

The circumflex artery is a branch of the left coronary artery. It courses around the back of the heart, running along the left atrium and ventricle. By delivering oxygenated blood to these areas, the circumflex artery helps maintain the overall health and function of the left side of the heart.

Left Marginal Artery

The left marginal artery is a branch of the left coronary artery. It is responsible for supplying blood to the lateral wall of the left ventricle. This artery plays a crucial role in delivering oxygen and nutrients to this region of the heart, ensuring its proper function.

Left Anterior Descending Artery (LAD)

The left anterior descending artery (LAD) is a significant branch of the left coronary artery that provides blood supply to the front and the major part of the left ventricle. It runs along the anterior surface of the heart and supplies oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle.

Right Coronary Artery (RCA)

The right coronary artery (RCA) originates from the aorta and supplies oxygenated blood to the right side of the heart. It travels along the surface of the heart, branching into smaller vessels that provide blood to the right atrium, right ventricle, and parts of the conducting system of the heart.

Right Marginal Artery

The right marginal artery, also known as the right acute marginal artery, is a branch of the right coronary artery. It supplies blood to the lateral wall of the right ventricle. This artery plays a vital role in delivering oxygen and nutrients to both surfaces of the right ventricle.