1. Structure of the Heart

*The heart is divided into four heart chambers. There are two chambers (left atrium and left ventricle) on the left side of the heart and two chambers (right atrium and right ventricle) on the right side of the heart.

*Left chambers of the heart transport oxygenated blood from the lungs to other parts of the body while right chambers of the heart transport deoxygenated blood from the other parts of the body to the lungs.

*The left and right chambers are separated by a layer of muscles known as median septum that prevents the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.

*The right ventricle has thinner muscle walls than the left ventricle because it only pumps blood to the lungs which is of a shorter distance as compared to the left ventricle which pumps blood to the other parts of the body.

*Between the left atrium and left ventricle lies the bicuspid valves which prevent backflow of blood from the left ventricle to the left atrium when the muscles of left ventricle contracts.

*Between the right atrium and right ventricle lies the tricuspid valves which prevent backflow of blood from the right ventricle to the right atrium when the right ventricle contracts.

*Semi-lunar valves are present in the arteries - aorta and pulmonary artery to prevent the backflow of blood.

Summary of structures present in the heart