Pathway of blood

• The pathway of blood through the heart involves the chambers, valves and blood vessels connected to the heart
• Pathway of blood through the heart

  1. Atria fill with blood

  2. Atria contract

  3. Tricuspid and mitral valves open and close

  4. Ventricles contract

  5. Blood is forced out of the heart
• Vena cava

  Supplies oxygen-poor blood to the right atrium
• Pulmonary vein

  Supplies oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the left atrium
• Tricuspid valve


  Valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle
• Mitral or bicuspid valve


  Valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle
• Pulmonary semilunar valve


  Valve that opens to allow blood to flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery
• Aortic semilunar valve


  Valve that opens to allow blood to flow from the left ventricle to the aorta
• Oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle


  Goes to the lungs through the pulmonary artery for oxygenation
• Oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle

  Goes to various parts of the body for use through the aorta
• After the contraction of the ventricles, the heart quickly relaxes and the process continues