children s health issues
Overview of Heart Defects
Anatomy of the Heart
The heart is divided into two sides (right and left), and each side is divided into two chambers (an atrium and a ventricle). The atria and ventricles on both sides are separated from each other by valves. On the right side of the heart Blood enters from thevena cava(the largest vein in the body) and flows into theright atrium Then flows through thetricuspid valveinto theright ventricle Then flows out of the heart through thepulmonary valveand into thepulmonary artery The pulmonary artery delivers blood to the lungs (where the blood picks up oxygen and gets rid of carbon dioxide) On the left side of the heart Oxygen-rich blood enters from thepulmonary veinand flows into theleft atrium Then flows through themitral valveinto theleft ventricle Then flows out of the heart through theaortic valveand into theaorta(the largest artery in the body) Blood circulates through the body, first through arteries, then through veins, and then through the vena cava (and back to the heart) (See alsoand.) 