Medical Terminology Simplified

Blood Flow Through the Heart

5–30 Although general circulatory information was discussed previously, this

section covers in greater detail the specific structures involved in the flow of blood

through the heart. The heart’s double pump serves two distinct circulations: pul-

monary circulation, which is the short loop of blood vessels that runs from the heart

to the lungs and back to the heart, and systemic circulation, which routes blood

through a long loop to all parts of the body before returning it to the heart.

Continue to label Figure 5–3 as you read the following information. The right

atrium receives oxygen-poor blood from all tissues except those of the lungs. The

blood from the head and arms is delivered to the RA through the (6) superior vena

cava (SVC).The blood from the legs and torso is delivered to the RA through the

(7) inferior vena cava (IVC).

5–31 Determine the directional words in Frame 5–30 that mean

below (another structure):____________________

above (another structure):____________________

5–32 Refer to Figure 5–3 and use the words superior or inferior to complete

this frame.

The left atrium is ____________________ to the left ventricle.

The right ventricle is ____________________ to the right atrium.

5–33 Blood flows from the right atrium through the (8) tricuspid valveand into

the right ventricle. The leaflets (cusps) are shaped so that they form a one-way pas-

sage, which keeps the blood flowing in only one direction. Label the tricuspid valve

in Figure 5–3.

5–34 The prefix tri-means three.The valve that has three leaflets, or flaps, is the

__________ / ____________________ ____________________.

5–35 The prefix bi-refers to two. A bi/cuspid valve has __________leaflets,

or flaps.

5–36 In the English language, a bi/cycle has two wheels; a tri/cycle has

____________________wheels.

5–37 The ventricles are the pumping chambers of the heart. As the right ventricle

contracts to pump oxygen-deficient blood through the (9) pulmonary valveinto the

pulmonary artery, the tri/cuspid valve remains closed, preventing a backflow of

blood into the right atrium. When the blood passes through the pulmonary trunk,

also known as the main pulmonary artery, it branches into the (10) right pulmonary

arteryand the (11) left pulmonary artery.The pulmonary arteries carry the oxygen-

deficient blood to the lungs. Label the structures introduced in this frame in

Figure 5–3.

Boldfaceindicates a word root or combining form. Blueindicates a suffix. Pinkindicates a prefix.

166 CHAPTER 5• Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems

inferior

superior

superior

inferior

two

three

tri/cuspid valve

trī-KŬS-pĭd