About Heart
- Parts of the heart
- Did you know?
- The average weight of a healthy female human heart is 9oz (255g).
- A man's heart is usually slightly bigger at around 10.5oz (300g).
- Every heart is made up of three layers:
- an inner lining called the endocardium
- a middle layer of muscle called the myocardium
- an outer fluid-filled sac known as the pericardium.
- The heart is divided into four chambers:
- the right atrium and left atrium are the upper chambers of the heart
- the right ventricle and left ventricle are the lower chambers.
- A muscular wall called the septum separates the right and left sides of the heart.
- Each of the chambers has valves. The valves have different names:
- the tricuspid valve is at the exit of the right atrium
- the mitral valve is for the left atrium
- the pulmonary valve is at the exit of the right ventricle
- the aortic valve is at the exit of the left ventricle.
- Their purpose is to allow blood to move forwards through the heart and to prevent it flowing backwards into the previous chamber.
www.worldhealthinfo.net