Post lab Questions

1. Using the dissected heart, trace and describe the flow of blood through the heart.
Include statements about whether the blood is oxygenated or deoxygenated at
specific locations.

deoxygenated blood → vena cava (inferior/superior) -> right atrium -> tricuspid
valves -> right ventricle -> pulmonary semilunar valves → pulmonary arteries
(left and right) -> lungs -> pulmonary veins (left and right) -> left atrium -> bicuspid
valves-> left ventricle -> aorta -> oxygenated blood spread throughout the body.

Deoxygenated blood enters the heart through the superior and inferior vena cavae, dumping
into the right atrium. From the right atrium, blood flows through the tricuspid valve into the
right ventricle. The right ventricle contracts, pumping deoxygenated blood through the
pulmonary valve into the pulmonary artery. The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated
blood to the lungs for oxygenation. In the lungs, the blood releases carbon dioxide and picks
up oxygen through the process of respiration. Oxygenated blood returns from the lungs via
the pulmonary veins to the left atrium. Oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins enters
the left atrium.Blood flows through the mitral valve from the left atrium into the left ventricle.
The left ventricle contracts, pumping oxygenated blood through the aortic valve into the
aorta.The aorta carries oxygenated blood to the rest of the body, delivering oxygen and
nutrients to tissues and organs.

blue: deoxygenated blood

red: oxygenated blood

2. Describe the structure and function of the valves and the associated chordae
tendineae and papillary muscles.

Heart has 4 valves: two atrioventricular and two two semilunar valves.
Atrioventricular valves include the tricuspid valve and bicuspid valve. Semilunar valves
include the pulmonary valve and and the aortic valve.
Function
Valves open and close to regulate blood flow through the heart, ensuring it moves in one
direction.
Atrioventricular valve opens when the atria contract, allowing blood to flow from the atria to
the ventricles. They close when ventricles contract to prevent backflow.
Semilunar valves open when the ventricles contract, allowing blood to be pumped out of the
heart into the arteries. They close when the ventricles relax to prevent blood from flowing
back into the ventricles.

Chordae Tendineae: Chordae tendineae are strong fibrous cords that connect the
atrioventricular valves to the papillary muscles. It maintains the position and tension on the
valve leaflets at the end of the systole.

Papillary muscle: Papillary muscles are small muscles located within the ventricles of the
heart. It prevents the eversion of the tricuspid valve.
 3. What is the reason for the difference in thickness between the walls of the arteries
and the veins as well as the walls of the left and right ventricles?

Arteries vs. Veins

Arteries carry blood away from the heart, typically under high pressure, due to the force of
the heart's contraction -> They have thick, muscular walls.
The thick muscular walls of arteries allow them to withstand the high pressure generated by
the heart's contractions and to help regulate blood flow.

Veins carry blood back to the heart under much lower pressure. Their walls are thinner and
less muscular compared to arteries. Veins have the same three layers as arteries but with
less muscle and elastic tissue.
The thinner walls of veins make them more compliant, allowing them to stretch to
accommodate larger volumes of blood and to serve as a reservoir for blood.

Left vs. Right Ventricles

The left ventricle has thicker muscular walls compared to the right ventricle. This is because
the left ventricle is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the entire body, against
arterial pressure, which requires more forceful contractions. The thick muscular wall of the
left ventricle enables it to generate the high pressures needed to propel oxygenated blood
throughout the circulation.

The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs, which have lower resistance
compared to the systemic circulation. Therefore, the right ventricle does not need to
generate as much force as the left ventricle, leading to thinner muscular walls.

4. Discuss the implications or problems arising from the incomplete closure of the
foramen ovalis (opening between the right and left atria) prior to birth.

A patent foramen ovale is a hole in the heart that didn't close the way it should after birth.
The hole is a small flaplike opening between the upper heart chambers.
As a baby grows in the womb, an opening called the foramen ovale sits between the upper
heart chambers. It typically closes during infancy. When the foramen ovale doesn't close, it's
called a patent foramen ovale. possible complications of patent foramen ovale may include
low blood oxygen and stroke.1

Some people may have a condition shortness of breath and low arterial blood oxygen levels
when sitting or standing. This is called platypnea-orthodeoxia.2

5. Explain the significance of the openings of the coronary arteries to their position
behind the flaps of the semilunar valves. Does blood flow through the heart muscle
during contraction or relaxation? Explain.

The position of the coronary artery openings behind the semilunar valves of the heart is
crucial for ensuring a proper flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.

1 (Patent Foramen Ovale - Symptoms & Causes - Mayo Clinic, 2022)

2 (Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) - Symptoms and Causes, n.d.)
Semilunar valves prevent backflow: These valves open during ventricular contraction
(systole) to allow blood to flow out of the heart into the arteries. They close tightly during
relaxation (diastole) to prevent blood from flowing back into the ventricles.3

Blood flow during relaxation: Since the coronary arteries arise just beyond these valves, this
positioning allows blood to fill the coronary arteries only during diastole.4

3 The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1998, July 20). Coronary circulation |

Heart, Blood Flow & Oxygenation. Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/science/coronary-circulation

4 Lumen Learning. (n.d.). Cardiac Cycle | Anatomy and Physiology II.

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-mcc-ap2/chapter/cardiac-cycle/