What are the four chambers of the heart and their functions?

The heart has four chambers: two atria and two ventricles. The right atrium and right ventricle form the pulmonary pump, handling deoxygenated blood, while the left atrium and left ventricle form the systemic pump, handling oxygenated blood. Atria receive blood, and ventricles eject it.

Why does the left ventricle have a thicker wall than the right ventricle?

The left ventricle has the thickest wall, about three times that of the right ventricle, because it must pump blood into the high-resistance systemic circulation. This requires more muscular force to overcome the pressure in the aorta and distribute oxygenated blood throughout the body.

How does blood flow through the heart chambers?

Blood flows in a specific path: deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium from the body, moves to the right ventricle, and is pumped to the lungs via the pulmonary trunk. Oxygenated blood returns to the left atrium from the lungs, passes to the left ventricle, and is ejected into the aorta for systemic circulation.

What are the key structural differences between the atria and ventricles?

Atria are thin-walled chambers that receive blood, while ventricles are thick-walled and eject blood. Structurally, atria have smoother interiors (except for rough auricles), and ventricles contain features like trabeculae carneae and papillary muscles for contraction and valve support.

What are the main external grooves that mark the heart chambers?

External grooves delineate the heart chambers: the coronary sulcus separates the atria from the ventricles, while the anterior and posterior interventricular sulci separate the ventricles on the anterior and posterior surfaces, respectively.

What is the clinical significance of the right auricle in terms of thrombus formation?

The right auricle has a sponge-like interior that may favor thrombus formation. If a thrombus forms here, it can embolize to the pulmonary circulation, potentially causing complications like pulmonary embolism.

What are the layers that line each heart chamber?

Each heart chamber is lined internally by endocardium, has a muscular middle layer called the myocardium, and is externally covered by epicardium. These layers provide structural support and facilitate heart function.

Heart Chambers – Right vs Left Atria and Ventricles

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