The Heart: The Body’s Powerful Pump

 

What is the Mammalian Heart?

The mammalian heart is like a strong, four-room house made of muscle. It works nonstop to keep blood moving around the body.

 

 

The Heart’s Important Parts

1. Muscular Wall:
   This gives the heart strength to push blood around. Like strong walls in a house, it keeps everything sturdy.

2. Septum:
   A wall in the middle of the heart that separates it into two halves: a “left side” and a “right side.”
   Imagine: A thick wall splitting a big house into two sections.

3. Left and Right Atria (Singular: Atrium):
   These are the upper “rooms” where blood comes in. They collect blood before it moves into the ventricles.
   Imagine: Entry halls where guests (blood) arrive and wait.

4. Left and Right Ventricles:
   These are the lower “rooms” that pump blood out of the heart. They have thicker muscular walls to push blood strongly.
   Imagine: Powerful pumping stations sending guests off on their journey.

5. One-Way Valves:
   Valves are like doors that let blood go forward but not backward. They keep the blood moving in the right direction.
   Imagine: Doors that swing one way so no one can go back the wrong way!

6. Coronary Arteries:
   These small arteries lie on the heart’s surface to give the heart muscle its own food and oxygen.
   Imagine: Little garden hoses feeding the heart muscle itself.

 

How Does It Work?

Basic Flow:

• Blood enters the atria first.
• The atria push blood down into the ventricles.
• The ventricles then push blood out into arteries to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the body.

Just remember: Atria receive, Ventricles push out!

Arteries and Veins:

• Arteries carry blood away from the heart.
• Veins return blood to the heart. $$\text{Heart} \to \text{Arteries} \to \text{Body} \to \text{Veins} \to \text{Heart}$$