the heart

• Superior vena cava


  A large vein that carries deoxygenated blood to the right atrium from the upper parts of the body.

  
• Inferior vena cava


  A large vein that carries deoxygenated blood to the right atrium from the lower half of the body.

  
• Right Atrium


  Right upper chamber of the heart. It receives deoxygenated blood from the body through the inferior vena cava and the superior vena cava

  
• Left Atrium


  Left upper chamber of the heart. It receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary vein.

  
• Right Ventricle


  Right lower chamber of the heart. It pumps the blood into the pulmonary artery to the lungs.

  
• Left Ventricle


  Left lower chamber of the heart. It pumps the blood into the aorta and around the body.

  
• Septum


  Muscular wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart.

  
• Tricuspid Valve


  Flaps between the right atrium and the right ventricle. Prevents the back-flow of blood from the ventricle to the atrium.

  
• Mitral (Bicuspid) Valve


  Valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle. It prevents the back-flow of blood from the ventricle to the atrium.

  
• Pulmonary Valve


  Flaps between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. Prevents the back-flow of blood from the pulmonary artery to the right atrium.

  
• Pulmonary Artery


  Blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs

  
• Pulmonary Vein


  Blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart.

  
• Aorta


  Biggest and longest artery in the body. It carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle of the heart to the body.

  
• Vein


  A blood vessel that usually carries deoxygenated blood; has a large lumen and valves

  
• Artery


  A blood vessel that usually carries oxygenated blood, has a small lumen, and carries blood at a high pressure
• Capillaries


  Blood vessels which have a narrow lumen to get close to body cell; are one cell thick to increase surface area for more efficient diffusion; have no valves.
• The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the vena cava.
• The left ventricle pumps oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body through arteries, while the right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs through pulmonary veins.