The Heart
Start with the big picture
The heart’s apex lies at the fifth left intercostal space near the midclavicular line, while its base faces posteriorly. Fibrous and serous pericardial layers enclose it; the heart wall consists of endocardium, myocardium, and epicardium. Four chambers are separated by septa, and atrioventricular and semilunar valves direct blood through the heart. The cardiac skeleton supports valve attachment and electrically separates atria from ventricles. Coronary arteries supply the heart, with dominance defined by which artery gives rise to the posterior descending artery. Venous blood returns mainly through the coronary sinus. The intrinsic conduction pathway runs from the sinoatrial node through the atrioventricular node and His–Purkinje system, while autonomic input influences heart rate and contractility.
What you'll learn
- Identify the heart’s location, orientation, coverings, and wall layers.
- Distinguish the four chambers, septa, valves, and major external surfaces.
- Describe coronary arterial supply, venous return, and coronary dominance.
- Trace the intrinsic conduction pathway and relate it to cardiac blood supply.
- Explain how autonomic innervation affects heart rate and contractility.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.