17.2: Blood Flow through the Heart Animation Video
Transcript:
Blood Flow through the Heart
Blood flow through the heart begins when deoxygenated blood enters from the inferior vena cava and superior vena cava to collect in the right atrium.
Pressure in the right atrium builds and causes the tricuspid valve to open. The right ventricle fills with blood. The right atrium contracts to force any remaining blood into the ventricle. The right ventricle contracts and pressure increases in the chamber, causing the tricuspid valve to close and the pulmonary valve to open. Blood travels through the pulmonary valve into the pulmonary artery.
Blood flows through the pulmonary artery to the lungs where it is oxygenated.
Oxygenated blood coming from the lungs travels through the pulmonary veins and into the left atrium.
Blood collects in the left atrium and pressure in the chamber increases, causing the mitral valve to open. The left ventricle fills with blood and contraction of the left atrium forces any remaining blood into the left ventricle.
The left ventricle contracts and pressure increases in the chamber, causing the mitral valve to close and the aortic valve to open. Blood is forced into the aorta.
From the aorta, oxygenated blood is sent to all parts of the body.