How the Heart Works

Page: 1 2 3 (of 3)	Previous | Next

anatomy of the heart

The heart is divided into four chambers, a left and right side (divided by an inner wall called the septum), as well as a top and bottom (separated by one-way valves). The top chambers are called atria (left atrium, right atrium), the bottom chambers are called ventricles (left ventricle, right ventricle).

On the right side, the right atrium and accepts low-oxygen blood returning from circulation around the body. The right atrium has a right AV valve, also called the tricuspid valve, that opens to allow blood into right ventricle. When the right ventricle is full, the right AV valve closes and the pulmonary valve opens, allowing blood to flow through the pulmonary artery to the lungs.

On the left side, the left atrium accepts oxygen-rich blood returning from the lungs. The left atrium has a left AV valve, also called the mitral valve, that opens to allow blood into the left ventricle. When the left ventricle is full, the left AV valve closes and the aortic valve opens, allowing blood to flow through the aorta to be circulated to the rest of the body.