Scie209

Atherosclerosis is narrowing of arteries caused by the accumulation of fatty deposits on the arterial walls.

Biology: SCIE206 - 1304A – 09

Unit4 - Individual Project

By Robert Sprankle

October 29, 2013

Introduction

What is the heart and its function?

The heart is a cone-like structure with a pointed, inferior part called the apex; and a broad, superior part called the base. The heart has four chambers: two superior chambers known as the right and left atria, and two inferior chambers known as the right and left ventricles. The right atrium receives blood from the superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, and coronary sinus. The right ventricle receives blood from the right atrium, and is separated from the left ventricle by the interventricular septum. It pumps blood through the pulmonary valve into the pulmonary trunk. The function of the heart is to pump oxygen rich blood and nutrients to all parts of the body. The heart circulates oxygenated blood throughout the body. Oxygenated blood travels into the left atrium from the pulmonary veins and exits through the bicuspid (mitral) valve. Oxygenated blood is pump by the left ventricle through the aortic valve into the aorta. The left side of the heart is responsible for systemic circulation, where blood is pump throughout the body, except for the air sacs of the lungs. The left ventricle pumps blood into the aorta; and subsequently into systemic arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins, which carry it back to the right atrium. The right side of the heart is for pulmonary circulation, where blood flows through the lungs. The right ventricle pumps blood into pulmonary trunk, and blood flows into pulmonary arteries, pulmonary capillaries, and pulmonary veins, which carry it back to the left atrium.

The heart muscle needs a constant supply of blood in order to work. The coronary arteries supplied the blood for the muscle of the heart. The aorta branches out into the coronary arteries. The left...