Glossary
Aorta- Large artery that emerges from the left ventricle; carries blood to the systemic circuit.
Apex- Pointed end of the heart consisting of muscle from the left ventricle.
Artery- Blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.
Atrium- One of the 2 upper chambers of the heart that receive blood.
Auricle- Ear like flap made up of muscle from the atria.
Base- Point of attachment for blood vessels entering and exiting the heart.
Bicuspid Valve- Atrioventricular valve between the left atrium and ventricle; also called the mitral valve.
Brachiocephalic Trunk- branch of the aorta that splits apart to form the right subclavian artery and right common carotid artery.
Chordae Tendineae- Fibrous cords that connect bicuspid and tricuspid valves with papillary muscles; also referred to as the "heart strings".
Coronary Artery- Artery leading from the aorta that supplies blood to the heart muscle.
Inferior Vena Cava- Large vein that returns blood from the lower body regions to the right atrium.
Interventricular Septum- Muscular wall between the right and left ventricles.
Papillary Muscles- Muscles anchoring the chordae tendineae to the valves.
Semilunar Valve- Valve between the aorta and left ventricle, and between the pulmonary trunk and right ventricle.
Superior Vena Cava- Large vein that returns blood from the upper regions of the body to the right atrium.
Trabeculae Carneae- Ridges and folds on the walls of the ventricles.
Tricuspid Valve- Atrioventricular valve between the right atrium and right ventricle.
Vein- Blood vessel that returns blood to the heart.
Ventricle- One of the 2 lower chambers of the heart which force blood into either the aorta of the pulmonary arteries.
Apex- Pointed end of the heart consisting of muscle from the left ventricle.
Artery- Blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.
Atrium- One of the 2 upper chambers of the heart that receive blood.
Auricle- Ear like flap made up of muscle from the atria.
Base- Point of attachment for blood vessels entering and exiting the heart.
Bicuspid Valve- Atrioventricular valve between the left atrium and ventricle; also called the mitral valve.
Brachiocephalic Trunk- branch of the aorta that splits apart to form the right subclavian artery and right common carotid artery.
Chordae Tendineae- Fibrous cords that connect bicuspid and tricuspid valves with papillary muscles; also referred to as the "heart strings".
Coronary Artery- Artery leading from the aorta that supplies blood to the heart muscle.
Inferior Vena Cava- Large vein that returns blood from the lower body regions to the right atrium.
Interventricular Septum- Muscular wall between the right and left ventricles.
Papillary Muscles- Muscles anchoring the chordae tendineae to the valves.
Semilunar Valve- Valve between the aorta and left ventricle, and between the pulmonary trunk and right ventricle.
Superior Vena Cava- Large vein that returns blood from the upper regions of the body to the right atrium.
Trabeculae Carneae- Ridges and folds on the walls of the ventricles.
Tricuspid Valve- Atrioventricular valve between the right atrium and right ventricle.
Vein- Blood vessel that returns blood to the heart.
Ventricle- One of the 2 lower chambers of the heart which force blood into either the aorta of the pulmonary arteries.