Author:- Mr. Ritesh Sharma
The internal structure of the human heart is as fascinating as it gets. The human which is as big as to fit inside the palm of your hand consists of a plethora of intricate facets that make the study of the internal structure of the human heart an intriguing subject. These facets include the chambers of the heart, the valves of the heart, and the blood vessels.
All these facets of the internal structure of the human heart carry out different functions in the human body and are extremely important to the heart. Without these facets, the human heart cannot function as seamlessly as it does. So, what is composed of the internal structure of the human heart. Moreover, what is the function of these different facets in making the internal structure of the human heart. We will examine all this and more in this blog. So, if you want to learn more about the internal structure of the human heart, you will get educated through this blog.
Internal structure of the Human Heart
As we mentioned earlier, the human heart is as big as to fit inside the palm of your hand. The weight of the human heart is about 250 to 350 grams. Protected by the ribcage, it is positioned between the lungs and rests upon the diaphragm. Despite its compact size, the heart is a powerhouse, tirelessly beating around 60 to 100 times per minute, pumping approximately 5 to 6 liters of blood throughout the body every minute. This was all about the outside structure of the human heart.
The internal structure of the human heart consists of entities that are carrying out the functions within and outside the human heart. Let’s learn more about the internal structure of the human heart below.
Chambers of the Heart
The heart is divided into four chambers: two atria (singular: atrium) and two ventricles. The atria are the upper chambers, while the ventricles are the lower chambers. These chambers work synergistically to ensure efficient blood circulation.
- Right Atrium: The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood returning from the body via the superior and inferior vena cavae, the two largest veins in the body. This blood has delivered oxygen to the body’s tissues and is returning to the heart to be reoxygenated.
- Left Atrium: Conversely, the left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs through the pulmonary veins. This freshly oxygenated blood is then pumped into the left ventricle.
- Right Ventricle: From the right atrium, blood flows into the right ventricle through the tricuspid valve. The right ventricle’s primary function is to pump deoxygenated blood to the lungs via the pulmonary artery, where it receives oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.
- Left Ventricle: The left ventricle is the strongest chamber of the heart and is responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood throughout the entire body. Blood flows into the left ventricle from the left atrium through the mitral valve before being pumped out through the aorta, the body’s largest artery.
Apart from all these four chambers, there is also a wall in the heart called septum which ensure that there is no mixing of oxygenated and dexoygenated blood.
Valves of the Heart
Valves are important facets of the internal structure of the human heart. They prevent the backflow of blood to the heart. There are four valves in the chambers of the heart. Let’s learn about these valves below.
- Tricuspid Valve: Situated between the right atrium and right ventricle, the tricuspid valve consists of three flaps (cusps) that open and close to regulate blood flow from the atrium to the ventricle.
- Mitral Valve: Also known as the bicuspid valve, the mitral valve is located between the left atrium and left ventricle. It comprises two cusps and controls the flow of oxygen-rich blood from the atrium to the ventricle
- Pulmonary Valve: Found at the entrance of the pulmonary artery, the pulmonary valve prevents the backflow of blood from the pulmonary artery into the right ventricle. It opens when the ventricle contracts, allowing blood to flow into the pulmonary artery toward the lungs.
- Aortic Valve: Situated at the entrance of the aorta, the aortic valve regulates blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta, ensuring oxygen-rich blood is distributed to the body’s tissues. It opens when the ventricle contracts and closes to prevent blood from flowing back into the ventricle.
Blood Vessels of the Heart
In addition to its chambers and valves, the heart is also interconnected with an extensive network of blood vessels that supply it with oxygen and nutrients while facilitating the distribution of blood throughout the body. If there is any problem with these vessels, then it can lead to conditions such as heart palpitations and cardiac arrhythmias of different arrhythmia classifications.
- Coronary Arteries: The coronary arteries arise from the base of the aorta and supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle itself, ensuring its continuous function. These arteries branch out into smaller vessels that penetrate the heart muscle, delivering nutrients and oxygen to every cell.
- Coronary Veins: After oxygen and nutrients have been extracted by the heart muscle, deoxygenated blood is collected by a network of coronary veins, which ultimately drain into the coronary sinus—a large vein located on the posterior surface of the heart. The coronary sinus then empties into the right atrium, completing the circulatory loop.
In conclusion, the internal structure of the heart is composed of chambers of the heart, valves and blood vessels. All these entities work singularly and as a singularity to maintain the immaculate performance of the human heart. They work in harmony to ensure that the heart is able to pump blood to all vital organs of the body ensuring they recieve an adequate amount of oxygen and nutrients.