1.2.4

Structure of the Heart

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Atria

The atria are the top 2 chambers of the heart. They fill up with blood received from the veins.

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Atria structure

  • The atria are small because the body only needs them to pump blood into the next chamber of the heart (ventricle).
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Atria function

  • The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the rest of the body through the superior vena cava.
    • It then pumps blood through to the right ventricle.
  • The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs through the pulmonary vein.
    • It then pumps the blood into the left ventricle.

Ventricle

These are the bottom 2 chambers of the heart. They pump blood out through the arteries.

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Ventricle structure and function

  • The right ventricle has thinner walls and is less muscular.
    • This is because less pressure is needed to pump the deoxygenated blood into the lungs via the pulmonary artery.
  • The left ventricle has a thick, strong wall.
    • This is because it needs to pump oxygenated blood to the entire body at a high pressure to make sure it gets there.
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Remember:

  • Right-side of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood.
  • Left-side of the heart pumps oxygenated blood.
  • Not all of the chambers contract at once. The atria contract together first, quickly followed by the ventricle. This is why we hear a ‘lub-dub’ sound.

Jump to other topics

1Applied Anatomy & Physiology

2Movement Analysis

3Physical Training

4The Principles of Training

5Using Data

6Sports Psychology

7Socio-cultural Influences

8Health & Fitness

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