91400 : 91400 - The Cardiovascular system
Document Summary
Base superior surface of the heart. Apex inferior pointed tip. Layers of the heart wall: Myocardium middle, muscular layer (contains cardiac muscle tissue, blood vessels, and nerves) Endocardium lines the inner surfaces of the heart, including valves. Forms endothelium continuous with blood vessels endothelium. Pericardial cavity between the epicardium (visceral) and the parietal pericardium. Features: only in heart, cells are striated to organized myofibrils, single, centrally located nucleus. Is adaptable, can switch from glucose to an alternative nutrient source (lactic acid, or fatty acid: fatigue resistant. Blood supply to cardiac muscle coronary circulation. Right coronary artery supplies the right atrium and portions of both ventricles. Left coronary artery supplies the left ventricle, left atrium and interventricular septum. Right atrium: receives blood from the superior vena cava and inferior vena cava. Left atrium: the oxygenated blood returns to the l. a through the pulmonary veins. Interatrial septum separates the atria. Interventricular septum separates ventricles by thick muscular wall: atrial systole.
