Heart Anatomy and Physiology:heart circulatory system,how heart functions or works,how heart pumps blood

Heart anatomy and Physiology

If you are looking for heart anatomy and physiology, you have landed at a right place. In this article, you will find information about heart anatomy and physiology, heart blood flow,  how heart functions, how heart works, how heart pumps blood, how heart beats, heart circulatory system etc. So read and gain knowledge

GENERAL ANATOMY OF THE HEART

Heart anatomy and physiology diagram

The human heart is primarily a shell. There are four cavities, or open spaces, inside the heart that fill with blood. Two of these cavities are called atria. The other two are called ventricles. The two atria form the curved top of the heart. The ventricles meet at the bottom of the heart to form a pointed base, which points toward the left side of your chest. The left ventricle contracts most forcefully, so you can best feel your heart pumping on the left side of your chest. 

Heart structure and function

The left side of the heart houses one atrium and one ventricle. The right side of the heart houses the others. A wall, called the septum, separates the right and left sides of the heart. A valve connects each atrium to the ventricle below it. Themitral valve connects the left atrium with the left ventricle. The tricuspid valveconnects the right atrium with the right ventricle.

The top of the heart connects to a few large blood vessels. The largest of these is the aorta, or main artery, which carries nutrient-rich blood away from the heart. Another important vessel is the pulmonary artery, which connects the heart with the lungs as part of the pulmonary circulation system. The two largest veins that carry blood into the heart are the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava. They are called "vena cava" because they are the "heart's veins." The superior is located near the top of the heart. The inferior is located beneath the superior.

The heart's structure makes it an efficient, never-ceasing pump. From the moment of development through the moment of death, the heart pumps. The heart, therefore, has to be strong. The average heart's muscle, called cardiac muscle, contracts and relaxes about 70 to 80 times per minute without you ever having to think about it. As the cardiac muscle contracts it pushes blood through the chambers and into the vessels. Nerves connected to the heart regulate the speed with which the muscle contracts. When you run, your heart pumps more quickly. When you sleep, your heart pumps more slowly.

Considering how much work it has to do, the heart is surprisingly small. The average adult heart is about the size of a clenched fist and weighs about 11 ounces (310 grams). Located in the middle of the chest behind the breastbone, between the lungs, the heart rests in a moistened chamber called the pericardial cavity which is surrounded by the ribcage. The diaphragm, a tough layer of muscle, lies below. As a result, the heart is well protected. 

Heart Physiology: How heart pumps blood

The heart pumps blood to the lungs and to all the body's tissues by a sequence of highly organized contractions of its four chambers.

Heart Blood Flow Diagram

For the heart to function properly, the four chambers must beat in an organized manner. This is governed by the electrical impulse. A chamber of the heart contracts when an electrical impulse or signal moves across it. Such a signal starts in a small bundle of highly specialized cells located in the right atrium — the sinoatrial node (SA node), also called the sinus node. A discharge from this natural "pacemaker" causes the heart to beat. This pacemaker generates electrical impulses at a given rate, but emotional reactions and hormonal factors can affect its rate of discharge. This allows the heart rate to respond to varying demands.

Pulmonary circulation is the movement of blood from the heart, to the lungs, and back to the heart again.

You can use a stethoscope to hear pulmonary circulation. The two sounds you hear, "lub" and "dub," are the ventricles contracting and the valves closing.

Heart Circulatory System: How heart beats, works and pumps blood in the body

CIRCULATION CHART:

SUPERIOR & INFERIOR VENACAVA ---->RIGHT ATRIUM ---->TRICUSPID VALVE ---->RIGHT VENTRICLE ---->PULMONARY VALVE ---->PULMONARY ARTERY ---->LUNGS----> PULMONARY VEIN ---->LEFT ATRIUM ---->MITRAL VALVE ---->LEFT VENTRICLE ---->AORTIC VALVE ---->AORTA ---->TISSUES OF THE BODY.

Internal circulation of the heart is maintained by the network of coronary arteries. Three arteries feed the heart muscle or myocardium. The left anterior descending coronary artery, the left circumflex coronary artery and the right coronary artery.

The nerve structure of the heart is important as arrythmias and therapies used to treat them frequently invoke these terms. Clusters of nerve cells that give rise to the hearts electrical impulse are called the sinus or SA node, and AV node. The impulse then travels in the likewise manner.

SA node ---->Atrial muscle ---->AV node ---->Common bundle ---->Bundle branches ---->Purkinje fibers ----> Ventricular muscle.

This sequence is represented in an ECG recording

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skin anatomy and physiology

If you are looking for the detailed information about skin anatomy and physiology, you have landed at a right place. In this article, you will find the information about skin anatomy and physiology, skin layers, dermis, hair, nails and skin system.

ANATOMY OF THE SKIN

The skin is the largest organ of the body. It consists of specialized epithelial and connective tissue cells and has many protective and synthetic functions.

DIFFERENT LAYERS OF THE SKIN

The skin is composed of two layers, the epidermis and the dermis. Thesubcutaneous tissue, also referred to as the subcutis or panniculus, is located underneath the dermis.

1. EPIDERMIS

The epidermis is mainly composed of cells called keratinocytes. It is divided into four layers:

a. Stratum Basale (Stratum Germinativum or Basal layer).

b. Stratum spinosum.

c. Stratum granulosum.

d. Stratum corneum.

The basal layer is composed of undifferentiated proliferating stem cells. Newly formed cells from this layer migrate upward and begin the process of differentiation.

The stratum spinosum lies above the basal layer and is composed ofkeratinocytes, also known as squamous cells. These cells produce keratin, which is a fibrous protein. This stratum spinosum derives its name from the "spines" or intercellular bridges that extend between cells.

The stratum granulosum, or granular layer, is composed of cells that containkeratohyaline granules, which are visible with light microscopy.

The stratum corneum is composed oflarge, flat, keratin-filledcells. They are vertically stacked in layers that range in thickness from 15 layers on most surfaces, to as many as 100 layers on the palms and soles.

In summary, the epidermis is composed ofcells that divide in the basal layer, keratinize in the stratum spinosum and granular cell layers, and ultimately differentiate into "dead" cells in the stratum corneum. It takes approximately 4 weeks for migration of a cell from the basal layer to the stratum corneum, where it will be shed.

Melanocytesare pigment-producing cells with long, squidlike extensions calleddendrites. They are located in the basal cell layer. The dendrites facilitate the transfer of pigment granules, called melanosomes, to neighboringkeratinocytes. The number of melanocytes in the epidermis is the same regardless of race or color. The number and size of the melanosomes account for racial differences in skin color. Sunlight stimulates melanocytic activity and transfer of melanosomes.

Langerhans’ cells are also dendritic cells that have an immunologic function. They are located between keratinocytes. On electron microscopy, diagnostic tennis racket-shaped organelles called Bribeck’s granules are seen.

Indeterminate dendritic cells lack melanosomes andBribeck’s granules. In some ways they are similar to Langerhans’ cells; however, their exact function is not known.

Merkel’s cells are located directly above the basement membrane. They probably enhance touch sensation.

The junction between the epidermis and dermis is referred to as the basement membrane zone. It permits selective exchange of cells and fluid between the epidermis and dermis. Furthermore, it provides structural support for the epidermis and "glues" the epidermis to the dermis.

2. DERMIS

Skin Anatomy

Skin Layers

The dermiscontains blood vessels, nerves and cutaneous appendages.  It is much thicker than the epidermis.  The principal components of the dermis arecollagen and elastic fibers andground substance, which are synthesized by dermal fibroblast cells.  Collagen and elastic fibers are fibrous proteins that provide structural support to the dermis. The ground substance fills the spaces between fibers.

Beneath the dermis is thesubcutaneous tissue. It is composed of fat cells or lipocytes, which are separated by islands (septa) of collagen and blood vessels.

VARIOUS SKIN APPENDAGES

The skinappendages include theeccrine and apocrine sweat glands, hair follicles, sebaceousglands, and nails.

Eccrine sweat glands help regulate body temperature by releasing sweat onto the surface of the skin.  The sweat evaporates, thereby facilitating the cooling process.  There are 2 to 3 million eccrine sweat glands on the body, which can secrete 10 liters of sweat per day.

Apocrine sweat glands are responsible for body odor.  The odor results when bacteria act on odorless apocrine sweat.  Apocrine glands are most numerous in the axillae (armpits) and anogenitalregion.

HAIR

Hairs grow out of tubular invaginations of the epidermis known as follicles, and a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous glands are referred to as apilosebaceous unit. 

(An electron micrograph of the base of hair follicle. The epidermal papilla, shown at the base, controls the growth rate of the hair follicle)

Hair follicles (located over the entire body surface with the exception of the palms and soles) extend into the dermis at an angle.

A small bundle of smooth muscle fibers, the arrector pili muscle, extends from just beneath the epidermis and is attached to the side of the follicle at an angle. Arrector pili muscles are supplied by adrenergic nerves, and are responsible for the erection of hair during cold or emotional stress ('goose flesh'). The sebaceous gland is attached to the follicle just above the point of attachment 0of the arrector pili.

At the lower end of the follicle is the hair bulb, part of which, the hair matrix, is a zone of rapidly dividing cells which is responsible for the formation of the hair shaft.  Hair pigment is produced by melanocytes in the hair bulb.  Cells produced in the hair bulb become densely packed, elongated and arranged parallel to the long axis of the hair shaft.  They gradually become keratinized as they ascend in the hair follicle.

Similar to skin and nails, actively dividing matrix cells differentiate and ultimately form a keratinous structure, the hair shaft.  Hair growth is cyclic and is composed of three phases.

Anagen (growing)

Catagen (transition)

Telogen (resting)

The length of the phases varies from one site to another.

NAILS

Nails similar to skin and hair, are made of keratin that is produced by a matrix of dividing and differentiating cell.  The nail unit has four components:

i.          Proximals nail fold

ii.         Matrix

iii.       Nail bed

iv.        Hyponychium

The proximal nail fold protects the matrix and forms the cuticle.  The matrix produces the cells that will ultimately become the nail plate.  The nail bed is the surface on which the nail plate lies.  The pink color of the nail bed is due to blood vessels in the dermis.  The hyponychium is located beneath the distal free edge of the nail.

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Vitamin B17-benefits, deficiency symptoms & natural resources

Do you know the benefits of Vitamin B17? Do you know the symptoms of deficiency of Vitamin B17? Do you know the names of Vitamin B17 rich foods? Do you know the natural resources of Vitamin B17? If yes, well and good but if you do not know, you must know the benefits, deficiency symptoms and rich foods of Vitamin B17. So read up on… 

Vitamin B17 (Laetrile Nitrilosides) Facts

Vitamin B17 has cancer controlling and preventive properties

     

Deficiency Symptoms of Vitamin B17 

Vitamin B17 deficiency may cause diminished resistance to malignancies.

Natural Resources of Vitamin B17

Garbanzos, Blackberries, Millet, Flaxseed, Lima beans, Plum pits and Peach

Millets

Flaxseed

Therapeutic use of Vitamin B17

Vitamin B17 is used for therapeutic use to cure the Cancer

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Vitamin B5-benefits, deficiency symptoms & natural resources

Do you know the benefits of Vitamin B5? Do you know the symptoms of deficiency of Vitamin B5? Do you know the names of Vitamin B5 rich foods? Do you know the natural resources of Vitamin B5? If yes, well and good but if you do not know, you must know the benefits, deficiency symptoms and rich foods of Vitamin B5. So read up on… 

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) Facts

• Vitamin B5 RDA: 6 mg     
• Researched Supplemental Range: 6 mg to 200 mg
• Average Daily Intake: 6 mg
• Vitamin B5 is a crucial nutrient for energy metabolism.
• It makes brain neurotransmitters & natural body steroid hormones.
• Vitamin B5 converts fats, carbohydrates and proteins into energy.
• Vitamin B5 enhances body stamina and produces antibodies.

Deficiency Symptoms of Vitamin B5 

Fatigue, Nausea, tingling in hands, anxiety, appetite loss, headache, depression  

Natural Resources of Vitamin B5

Legumes, Saltwater Fish, Whole Wheat, Vegetables, Eggs & beef

Legumes are very good sources of vitamin B5

Therapeutic use of Vitamin B5

Vitamin B5 is used for therapeutic use to cure the stress, depression, fatigue, arthritis & migraine headaches

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Vitamin K-benefits, deficiency symptoms & natural resources

Do you know the benefits of Vitamin K? Do you know the symptoms of deficiency of Vitamin K? Do you know the names of Vitamin K rich foods? Do you know the natural resources of Vitamin K? If yes, well and good but if you do not know, you must know the benefits, deficiency symptoms and rich foods of Vitamin K. So read up on… 

Vitamin K Sources

Vitamin K (Menadione) Facts

• Vitamin K is fat soluble vitamin.
• Vitamin K RDA is 80 mcg.
• Vitamin K Supplemental Range is 0 mcg – 150 mcg.
• Average daily intake of vitamin K: 300 mcg to 500 mcg.
• Vitamin K helps prevent blood clotting.
• Vitamin K helps deposit minerals into the bone matrix.
• Vitamin K is very beneficial for the blood and liver in human body.

  

Deficiency Symptoms of Vitamin K 

Bleeding ulcers, hemorrhage, miscarriage, diarrhea, nose bleeds and lowered vitality

Natural Resources of Vitamin K

Sunflower Oil, Fish liver oil, yogurt, alfalfa, kelp, green leafy vegetables

Therapeutic use of Vitamin K

Vitamin K is used for therapeutic use to cure the following:

Bruising, colitis, gall stones, celiac disease, eye hemorrhages, menstrual problems, ulcers, childbirth problems 

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Vitamin D-benefits, deficiency symptoms & natural resources

Do you know the benefits of Vitamin D? Do you know the symptoms of deficiency of Vitamin D? Do you know the names of Vitamin D rich foods? Do you know the natural resources of Vitamin D? If yes, well and good but if you do not know, you must know the benefits, deficiency symptoms and rich foods of Vitamin D. So read up on… 

Vitamin D Sources

Vitamin D (Ergosterol) Facts

• Vitamin D is fat soluble vitamin.
• Vitamin D RDA is 200 I.U. to 400 I.U.
• Vitamin D Supplemental Range is 200 I.U. to 800 I.U.
• Vitamin D stimulates intestinal absorption of calcium.
• Vitamin D balances the quantity of calcium and phosphate in the body.
• Vitamin D is essential for strong bones and teeth.
• Vitamin D has anticancer properties and prevents breast and colon cancer.
• If we have sufficient amount of magnesium and boron in our body, vitamin D becomes more effective.
• Vitamin D is beneficial for skin, heart, bones, teeth and nervous system.
• Vitamin D helps skin respiration.

    

Deficiency Symptoms of Vitamin D 

Diarrhea, insomnia, myopia, muscular weakness, nervousness, premature aging, poor metabolism, softening bones/teeth, joints pain, tooth decay 

Natural Resources of Vitamin D

Sunflower seeds, Fish liver oil, butter, egg yolks, fortified milk, sardines, salmon, mushrooms, Sunlight

Therapeutic use of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is used for therapeutic use to cure the following:

Acne, allergies, cystitis, psoriasis, pyorrhea, arthritis, alcoholism, osteoporosis, rickets

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Vitamin C-benefits, deficiency symptoms & natural resources

Do you know the benefits of Vitamin C? Do you know the symptoms of deficiency of Vitamin C? Do you know the names of Vitamin C rich foods? Do you know the natural resources of Vitamin C? If yes, well and good but if you do not know, you must know the benefits, deficiency symptoms and rich foods of Vitamin C. So read up on… 

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Facts

• Vitamin C RDA is 60 mg.
• Vitamin C Supplemental Range is 1,000 mg – bowel tolerance
• Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant that neutralizes free radicals by offering its own electrons; minimizing oxidative damage to DNA, and neutralizing nitrates that are shown to cause cancer
• According to a research by Harvard Medical School, people who got at least 200 mg of vitamin C per day had a 30 percent reduced risk of bronchitis or wheezing compared with people who got about 100 mg per day.
• Vitamin C inhibits the deposit and growth of atherosclerosis on artery walls, thus directly protecting the heart muscle from infection and free radical damage.
• Vitamin C prevents cataract formation, cancer, and infections in skin, cervix, rectum, breast, colon, esophagus, stomach and pancreas.
• Vitamin C helps fight with common cold.
• Vitamin C accelerates healing after surgery.

  

Deficiency Symptoms of Vitamin C 

Anemia, hemorrhages, capillary wall ruptures, dental cavity, low infection resistance, premature aging, poor digestion, soft/bleeding gums, thyroid insufficiency

Natural Resources of Vitamin C

Black currants, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, green bell peppers, rose hips and citrus fruits

Vitamin C sources

Therapeutic use of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is used for therapeutic use to cure the following:

Alcoholism, asthma, arteriosclerosis, arthritis, colds, cystitis, hypoglycemia, diabetes, hepatitis, insect bites, pyorrhea, tooth decay, scurvy, sinusitis, stress, heart diseases.

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Vitamin B2-benefits, deficiency symptoms & natural resources

Do you know the benefits of vitamin B2? Do you know the symptoms of deficiency of vitamin B2? Do you know the names of vitamin B2 rich foods? Do you know the natural resources of vitamin B2? If yes, well and good but if you do not know, you must know the benefits, deficiency symptoms and rich foods of vitamin B2. So read up on… 

Vitamin B2 sources

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) Facts

• Vitamin B2 RDA is 1.7 mg.
• Vitamin B2 is water soluble vitamin
• Vitamin B2 Supplemental Range is 25 mg – 200 mg.
• Vitamin B2 helps the mitochondria (fat burning furnaces) of muscle cells to produce energy which is helpful in weight management.
• Since Vitamin B2 is water soluble, it passes through the body within several hours of intake. So toxicity with vitamin B2 is almost impossible.
• Vitamin B2 is beneficial for metabolism, eyes, skin, nails and hair.
• Vitamin B2 reduces chances of cataract formation in eyes.

  

Deficiency Symptoms of Vitamin B2 

Bloodshot & burning eyes, cataracts, corner of mouth cracks & sores, dizziness, poor digestion, premature wrinkles, retarded growth, red sore tongue etc.

Natural Resources of vitamin B2

Eggs, seeds, cooked leafy vegetables, cheese and liver

Therapeutic use of vitamin B2

Vitamin B2 is used for therapeutic use to cure the following:

Baldness, high cholesterol, cystitis, oily skin, light sensitivity, mental retardation, muscular disorders, nausea, weight control, premature wrinkles, stress

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Vitamin B1-benefits, deficiency symptoms & natural resources

Do you know the benefits of vitamin B1? Do you know the symptoms of deficiency of vitamin B1? Do you know the names of vitamin B1 rich foods? Do you know the natural resources of vitamin B1? If yes, well and good but if you do not know, you must know the benefits, deficiency symptoms and rich foods of vitamin B1. So read up on… 

Vitamin B1 sources

Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) Facts

• Vitamin B1 RDA is 1.5 mg.
• Vitamin B1 Supplemental Range is 50 mg – 200 mg.
• Excess amount of vitamin B1 does not benefit or harm the human body but is simply excreted from the body.  
• Vitamin B1 or Thiamin helps burn carbohydrates for energy, so having optimal body uptake is important in a weight management program.
• Vitamin B1 is extremely beneficial for our carbohydrate metabolism, organ muscles & body muscles.
• Vitamin B1 improves energy, growth, learning capacity and circulation in our human body.
• Vitamin B1 aids digestion, prevents constipation and prevents liquid retention.

Deficiency Symptoms of Vitamin B1 

Beriberi, digestive disturbances, fatigue, irritability, mental depression, muscular weakness, nervousness, numb hands/feet, pains around heart and shortness of breath

Natural Resources of vitamin B1

Whole grains, brewers yeast, wheat germ, rice, milk and seeds

Therapeutic use of vitamin B1

Vitamin B1 is used for therapeutic use to cure the following:

Alzheimer’s, diarrhea, constipation, diabetes, indigestion, heart disease, congestive heart failure, stress, mental illness and nausea.

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Vitamin A-benefits, deficiency symptoms & natural resources

Do you know the benefits of vitamin A? Do you know the symptoms of deficiency of vitamin A? Do you know the names of vitamin a rich foods? Do you know the natural resources of vitamin A? if yes, well and good but if you do not know, you must know the benefits, deficiency symptoms and rich foods of vitamin A. So read up on… 

Vitamin A Facts

• Vitamin A is fat soluble.
• Vitamin A RDA is 5,000 I.U.
• Vitamin A Supplemental Range is 2,000 I.U. – 20,000 I. U.
• Vitamin A toxicity may occur in adults who take in excess of 50,000 I. U. per day for several months.
• Vitamin A provides first line of defense against invading toxins since it establishes healthy skin and mucous membranes. Vitamin A is a part of the powerful anti toxicant group of nutrients. Beta-carotene & Vitamin A actually destroy carcinogens (cancer causing substances)
• Vitamin A is extremely beneficial for our immune system, skin, eyes and cell growth & elasticity.
• Vitamin A is essential for our night vision.
• Vitamin A promotes growth & vitality, repairs & maintains body tissue and prevents premature aging and senility.

Natural Resources of vitamin A

Carrots, fish liver oils, liver, green leafy vegetables

Fish Oil Pills

Green Leafy Vegetables

Carrots

Deficiency Symptoms of Vitamin A 

Allergies, Loss of appetite, skin blemishes, soft tooth enamel, dry hair, rough dry skin, itching or burning eyes, night blindness, loss of smell, sinus, fatigue and susceptibility to infections

Therapeutic use of vitamin A

Vitamin A is used for therapeutic use to cure the following :

Acne, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, allergies, athletes foot, sinusitis, tooth & gum disease, cystitis, bronchitis, colds, psoriasis, migraine headaches and vision deterioration.        

Hear and see the vitamin A benefits in this video

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