Human Anatomy

Chapter 18 Review

Please review the following questions in preparation for the Chapter 18 Test.

• Explain why the left ventrical myocardial wall is thicker than any other chamber of the heart.

  • the left ventrical has to pump the blood to all locations, thus it needs more muscle power to do so

• What is the primary purpose of pulmonary circulation?

  • pulmonary circulation is needed to move the oxygen poor-blood to the lungs for exchange with oxygen......the blood returning from the lungs should now be oxygen-rich

• Explain why the heart's location is such an ideal spot?

  • the ribs and sternum provide the heart a great deal of protection

• What is the best way to describe the typical size of the human heart.

  • the human heart is about the same size as one's closed fist

• Describe the basic function of the heart's conduction system.

  • the heart's conduction system keeps the heart beating in a good rhythm

• What are the two main reasons for hepatic portal circulation?

  • 1.  detoxify the blood

  • 2.  remove excess blood glucose from the blood after eating

• Explain the reason why the foramen ovale is located in the fetal heart.

  • the foramen ovale is an opening between the right and left atria in the fetal heart that bypasses pulmonary circulation......pulmonary circulation is not necessary because the fetal lungs are not developed yet so the oxygen is supplied by the mother

• What is the primary purpose of coronary circulation?

  • to supply the tissues of the heart with nutrients and oxygen and remove the waste products

• Describe the procedure known as "coronary bypass surgery".

  • a blood vessel is harvested from another location in the body to provide a detour route around a blocked coronary arter

• Describe the procedure known as "coronary angioplasty".

  • a catheter is inserted in the groin and travels to the blocked artery location where a small balloon in inflated to make a larger opening......a stent is inserted to make sure the artery does not collapse

• Why are pig hearts used to study the anatomy of the human heart?

  • pig hearts have roughly the same size, structure, and function as a human heart (maybe slightly larger)

• To what advantage is a heart with four chambers compared to a heart with two or three chambers?

  • the oxygen-poor blood does not mix with oxygen-rich blood in a four-chambered heart, which allows for more efficiency

• What artery in the human body is the largest and why?

  • the aorta is the largest artery in the body......it must be large and strong to withstand the pressure as it carries the largest volume of blood

• What can be learned by studying a patient's cardiac enzymes?

  • cardiac enzymes will be detected if a patient has suffered a myocardial infarction (heart attack)

Be able to trace a drop of blood from the right atrium, to the great left toe, and back again to the right atrium.  You will be given a word bank for this exercise as well as diagrams of the arteries and veins of the body to assist you.

Be able to label a diagram of a heart such as the one shown below: