NEET UG » NEET UG Study Material » Biology » Structure of Human Heart

Structure of Human Heart

The structure and function of the human heart and the associated blood vessels of the human circulatory system enable the transportation of blood throughout the body.

Introduction

The size of the human heart is that of a human fist, and it has four chambers along with two ventricles and two atria. The blood-pumping chambers are called ventricles, and the blood-receiving chambers are called atriums. The right atrium and ventricle make the “right heart,” while the left atrium and ventricle make up the “left heart.”. The aorta, the body’s largest artery, is located within the structure of the human heart.

The septum is a small muscle wall that divides the heart’s right and left sides. The right ventricle re-oxygenates the lungs by pumping blood through the pulmonary arteries—the semilunar valves on the right close, preventing blood from returning to the heart. The pulmonary veins deliver oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium. Continue reading to learn more about the structure of the human heart.

External Structure of Human Heart

The pericardium is one of the first structures that can be seen when looking at the external structure of the heart.

Pericardium

The pericardial cavity, located to the left of the chest, is a fluid-filled cavity that surrounds the human heart. The pericardium is a membrane that lines and protects the walls and lining of the pericardial cavity.

The pericardium is a fibrous membrane surrounding the heart and protecting it from elements. It lubricates the heart and prevents friction between its organs by secreting a serous fluid. Aside from lubrication, the pericardium helps to stabilise the heart and maintains a hollow space for the heart to expand when it is full. There are two layers to the pericardium:

  • Visceral Layer: The outside of the heart is directly covered by the visceral layer
  • Parietal Layer: The pericardial cavity fluid is contained in the Parietal Layer, which forms a sac around the outer region of the heart

The Heart’s Wall Structure

There are three layers to the wall of the heart:

  • Epicardium: It is known to be the outermost layer of the heart. The outer section is lubricated and protected by a membrane that is thin and have many layers
  • Myocardium: It is the middle and the innermost layer of the heart’s wall. It plays a significant role in providing the thickness of the heart and also for the pumping action that the heart performs
  • Endocardium: The endocardium, the heart’s innermost layer, lines the inner chambers and protects the heart valves. It also prevents blood from adhering to the inner walls of vessels, which can lead to life-threatening blood clots

Internal Structure of Human Heart

The heart’s internal structure is complicated, with several chambers and valves that control blood flow.

The Heart’s Chambers

A vertebrate’s heart has different chambers that can be classified. For example, most fish have two chambers, whereas reptiles and amphibians have three. Birds and animals, especially mammals, have four chambers in their hearts. Humans have four chambers because we are mammals:

  • Left Atrium
  • Right Atrium
  • Left Ventricle
  • Right Ventricle

Atria have thinner walls than ventricles and are smaller. These are the chambers where blood is received, nourishing by large veins.

Ventricles have larger chambers and are muscular, pumping and pushing blood out of the heart into the circulation. These are connected to larger arteries for transporting blood throughout the body. The right ventricle, as well as the right atrium, are smaller in size than the left chambers. The right side of the walls has fewer muscles than the left, and the size difference is due to their functions. The pulmonary circulation takes the blood and transports it from the right side of the body, whereas the circulatory system transports blood from the left side.

Structure of human heart and blood vessels

In organisms with closed circulatory systems, blood flows through vessels of various sizes. All vertebrates, including humans, have this type of circulation. The external structure of the heart has a network of blood vessels, with other vital vessels emerging from within. Structure of human heart and blood vessels classification is done as follows:

  • The inferior vena cava and superior vena cava carry deoxygenated blood to the heart and drain into the right atrium
  • Capillaries are small tube-like vessels that form a network between the arteries and veins
  • Arteries are muscular tubes that carry oxygen full blood from the heart to the rest of the body

Listed above is the structure of the human heart and blood vessels definition.

The aorta is the body’s largest artery, branching off into numerous smaller arteries throughout the body.

Valves

Valves are flaps of fibrous tissue in the cardiac chambers between all of the veins that are present. They ensure that blood can only flow in one direction (unidirectional). Because of the flaps, blood cannot flow backwards. Valves are divided into two groups:

  1. Atrioventricular Valves: Atrioventricular valves are located between the atria and the ventricles. Between the right atrium and the right ventricle is the tricuspid valve. The mitral valve is also located between the left chambers of the heart.
  2. Semilunar Valves: The Semilunar Valves seperates the aorta and the left ventricular side. 

Conclusion

The heart is one of the most vital organs in the human body. The human heart is protected by the ribs and is located in your chest. Cardiology is the study of a person’s heart and its numerous ailments.

The heart chakra is the area in the body where the heart beats quicker. When the heart contracts, it shrinks the chambers and pushes blood into the blood arteries. The chambers expand and return the blood to the heart after the heart has rested. The muscle cells decrease as a result of the electricity that flows through the heart. From this, it can be inferred that the heart is the most important organ in our body.

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the NEET UG Examination Preparation.

What is the function of the human heart?

Ans. The human heart, a part of the circulatory system, is one of the most vital organs in our body. It helps in the...Read full

What is the weight of the heart?

Ans. Human heart pumps 70 milliliters of blood in 1 minute, 7600 liters (2000 gallons) in 1 day and 200 million lite...Read full

What are the atrium and ventricles?

Ans. There are four chambers in the human heart. The right and left atriums are the two smaller upper chambers. The ...Read full

Who controls the heart rate?

Ans. Two branches of the autonomic (involuntary) nervous system, namely, the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and pa...Read full

What causes blockages in the arteries of the heart?

Ans. The heart is a muscular organ that circulates blood throughout the body. Blood contains the oxygen and nutrient...Read full