BIOC32H3 : Hearts and Circulatory Systems summary

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7 Mar 2011
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The mammalian (and avian) heart consists of two ventricles (left and right) and two atria (left and right). The left ventricle and left atria function as the left heart pumping oxygenated blood to the systemic tissues (systemic circulation). The right ventricle and right atria function as the. Right heart pumping blood to the lungs (pulmonary circulation). Venous or deoxygenated blood enters the heart from the systemic tissues via the superior vena cava (upper regions of the body) and inferior vena cava (lower regions of the body). Blood flows from the two vena cava into the right atria. From there, blood passes through the tricuspid valve and enters the right ventricle. Blood is pumped from the right ventricle, through the pulmonary artery to the lungs. Blood leaves the lungs with a partial pressure of approximately 100 mmhg. Blood from the lungs flows back to the heart via the pulmonary vein. The pulmonary vein enters into the left atria.