In two to three sentences, describe two chambers of the heart that have thicker walls. Why would these chambers be thicker?
The right and left ventricles have thicker walls than the two atria. Thicker muscular walls are needed to generate the pressure to pump blood out of the heart to the pulmonary and systemic circuits.
Practice Problems
S.1.3 - Describe the Anatomy and Physiology of the Cardiovascular System
This objective includes, but is not limited to, the following examples of knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- Identify structures of the cardiovascular system.
- Explain the functions of the cardiovascular system.
- Trace blood flow through the cardiovascular system.
The cardiovascular, or circulatory, system is responsible for the movement of blood around the body. This system allows for nutrient distribution and waste removal. To be successful at meeting the objective, it is important to know not only the structure of these two systems but also the functional components of each.
Parts of the Cardiovascular System
The cardiovascular system includes the closed system of blood pumped around the body by the heart through a network of arteries, veins, and capillaries. The heart is made up of cardiac muscle and is split into four chambers. The upper chambers are called “atria” and the lower chambers are called “ventricles.” The atria and ventricles are attached to veins and arteries that are connected to different parts of the body. One-way valves control the flow of blood into and out of the chambers of the heart. The Heart Anatomy diagram shows key parts of the heart.
Functions of the Cardiovascular System
You should have a general understanding of pathologies of the circulatory system, such as heart attacks, stroke, aneurysms, atherosclerosis, arrhythmias, and hypertension.
Blood Flow Through the Cardiovascular System
Blood flows throughout the cardiovascular system in a cyclic pattern as shown in the following diagram. Starting in the left ventricle, oxygenated blood is pumped to the body. As it flows through arteries to capillaries, it transports oxygen to tissues and picks up carbon dioxide. Then, the deoxygenated blood returns to the heart through veins. This blood is now deoxygenated and concentrated with carbon dioxide. It enters the heart through the right atrium and then flows into the right ventricle. The right ventricle pumps the blood toward the lungs through arteries, where it picks up oxygen and loses carbon dioxide. Then, it returns to the heart through the left atrium using veins and starts the cycle again.
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