To effectively label every structure on a figure of the heart image, it is important to understand the basic anatomy of the heart. Here are the main components to label:
- Atria: The heart has two upper chambers— the right atrium and the left atrium. They are responsible for receiving blood from the body and lungs, respectively.
- Ventricles: The two lower chambers are the right ventricle and the left ventricle. These chambers pump blood out of the heart; the right ventricle sends blood to the lungs, while the left ventricle pumps it out to the rest of the body.
- valves: The heart contains four main valves: the tricuspid valve, pulmonary valve, mitral valve, and aortic valve. Each valve ensures that blood flows in the correct direction through the heart.
- Septum: This is the wall that separates the right and left sides of the heart, preventing the mixing of oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood.
- Aorta: The largest artery in the body, it carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body.
- Pulmonary arteries and veins: The pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs, and the pulmonary veins return oxygenated blood to the left atrium.
- Coronary arteries: These supply blood to the heart muscle itself.
Each of these parts plays a critical role in the circulatory system and understanding their functions helps to better appreciate how the heart operates as a whole. When labeling the illustration, be sure to clearly mark each structure and consider including arrows to indicate the direction of blood flow for a more comprehensive educational tool.