Unit 2: The Heart
Unit outline
- Location of the heart
- Chambers and circulation through the heart
- Membranes, surface features, and layers
- Internal structure of the heart
- Heart valve structure and function
- Coronary circulation
Part 2: Cardiac Muscle and Electrical Activity
Practice Questions
Learning Objectives
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
I. Describe the anatomy of the human heart with respect to the following: location, size, and shape.
II. Define and describe the location of the following: pericardium, epicardium, myocardium, endocardium.
III. Describe the anatomy, and relationship to each other, of the four chambers of the heart including the location and general makeup of all valves.
IV. Describe the double circulation and blood flow through the heart and explain the role of the four valves in controlling the direction of blood flow.
V. Briefly describe the major components of the coronary circulation and parts of the heart that they feed: left and right coronary artery, coronary veins, coronary sinus.
VI. Specify the components of the conduction system of the heart and describe their functions in the normal conduction of an electrical impulse through the heart and explain the events which constitute and complete the heart beat (i.e. cardiac cycle).
VII. Describe the major components of the human electrocardiogram (ECG) and relate these to the electrical and mechanical events of the heart.
VIII. Describe the following major mechanisms that control heart rate: autonomic system, hormones, ionic composition of the blood, and body temperature.
Learning Objectives and Guiding Questions
At the end of this unit, you should be able to complete all the following tasks, including answering the guiding questions associated with each task.
I. Describe the anatomy of the human heart with respect to the following: location, size, and shape.
- Use correct anatomical terms and complete sentences to describe the position of the human heart in relation to the lungs, diaphragm, vertebral column and thoracic cavity.
II. Define and describe the location of the following: pericardium, epicardium, myocardium, endocardium.
- Draw a simple diagram of the heart wall showing all the following structures, and on your diagram wherever possible, identify the specific tissue type each layer is composed of:
- Pericardium
- Epicardium
- Myocardium
- Endocardium
III. Describe the anatomy and relationship to each other of the four chambers of the heart including the location and general makeup of all valves.
- Distinguish between the upper and lower chambers of the heart
- Describe the partitioning of the heart into left and right chambers.
- Name and describe the structure and location of the valves of the heart
IV. Describe the double circulation and blood flow through the heart and explain the role of the four valves in controlling the direction of blood flow.
- State the names of the two parts of the circulation and their general function in te