Heart Structure

• The heart is a large muscular pump divided into two halves: the right-hand side and the left-hand side
• The right-hand side of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs
• The left-hand side of the heart pumps oxygenated blood around the body
• Each side of the heart consists of an atrium and a ventricle, which are two connected chambers
• The atria are where the blood collects when it enters the heart
• The ventricles pump the blood out of the heart to the lungs or around the body
• The septum separates the right-hand and left-hand side of the heart
• The tricuspid valve is located between the right atrium and right ventricle and opens due to a build-up of pressure in the right atrium
• The bicuspid valve is located between the left atrium and left ventricle and opens due to a build-up of pressure in the left atrium
• The semilunar valves stop the backflow of blood into the heart
• There is a semilunar valve where the aorta leaves the left ventricle and another where the pulmonary artery leaves the right ventricle