Module 8: The structure and function of the cardiovascular system

The Body in Action

1. Introduction to the cardiovascular system
2. The heart
   1. Structure of the heart
   2. The heart valves
3. Labelling the heart activity
4. Circulatory system
   1. Animation of the circulation systems
5. Blood vessels
   1. Arteries
   2. Capillaries
   3. Veins
6. Characteristics of blood vessels activity
7. Function of the cardiovascular system
8. Function of the blood

The heart

The heart is about the size of a closed fist and is located in the thorax between the two lungs (slightly to the left of the centre of the chest). It consists of four chambers, two upper atria and two lower ventricles. The walls of the four chambers are made of cardiac muscle, called the myocardium, and each chamber has a one-way valve at its exit that prevents blood from flowing backwards. The arteries carry blood away from the heart and the veins carry blood back towards the heart.