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Knowledge of the structure and function of the heart and other
aspects of the vascular system, is an essential part of training
in many therapies, such as Massage (in its many forms, "Indian
Head Massage", "Swedish Massage", "Accupressure
Massage" etc.), Aromatherapy, Accupuncture, Shiatsu, and others.
This page is intended to include the detail required for most Basic
/ First Level Courses in these therapies, and some ITEC Diplomas.
The first diagram (immediately below) is a cut-away section through
the heart, showing its physical appearance and labelling its major
components and blood vessels. The simpler diagrams below it are
line drawings including essential information in a form that is
easier to reproduce in exams.
Illustration of the Physical Form of the Heart
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Diagram (1): Physical Appearance and Major
Components of the Heart
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The heart is a muscular cone-shaped organ about the size
of a clenched fist of the same person.
It is located in the upper body (chest area) between the lungs,
and with its pointed end (called the apex) downwards,
forwards, and pointing towards the left.
The main purpose of the heart is to pump blood around the
body.
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The basic structure of the heart (illustrated above) may
be described as follows:
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The Heart is divided into separate right and left sections
by the interventricular septum, or "septum"
when the context is clearly that of the heart. Each of these
(right and left) sections is also divided into upper and
lower compartments known as atria and ventricles,
respectively. The four main chambres of the heart are therefore
the:
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Right Atrium (Labelled "RA" in the
diagrams on this page);
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Right Ventricle (Labelled "RV" in
the diagrams on this page);
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Left Atrium (Labelled "LA" in the
diagrams on this page);
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Left Ventricle (Labelled "LV" in the
diagrams on this page).
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Deoxygenated blood (from the body) is pumped through
the right atrium and the right ventricle (to the lungs), while
oxygenated blood (from the lungs) is pumped through
the left atrium and the left ventricle (to the body).
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Deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium from the
Superior vena cava and the Inferior vena cava.
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Deoxygenated blood leaves the right ventricle by Pulmonary
artery, which takes blood to the lungs via the right
and left brances of the pulmonary artery.
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Oxygenated blood enters the left atrium from the Pulmonary
veins. These may be labelled as "right pulmonary
veins" and "left pulmonary veins".
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Oxygenated blood leaves the left ventricle by Ascending
aorta, which takes blood to the body via its system
of arteries, arterioles, and capillaries. Major arteries
leading from the heart (via the ascending aorta) include
the brachiocephalic artery, the left common
carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery
(illustrated above). These are just a few of the main
arteries of the body.
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It is essential that blood flows in the correct direction
through the heart so the structure of the heart includes a
series of valves.
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The Tricuspid valve separates the right atrium
from the right ventricle.
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The Pulmonic / Pulmonary valve separates the
right ventricle from the pulmonary artery.
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The Mitral (also known as the Bicuspid) valve
separates the left atrium from the left ventricle.
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The Aortic valve separates the right ventricle
from the ascending aorta.
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Line Drawings of the Basic Structure of the Heart
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Although Diagram (1) above is a clear illustration
of the structure of the heart it may be difficult
to reproduce quickly in examinations. The following diagrams
are less detailed and not as fully labelled (the same information
as above applies so more labels could be added), but may be
more convenient to sketch rapidly if required to do so.
Diagram (2)a is a simplification of Diagram (1); Diagram 2(b)
includes additional information about structures concerned
with the system of electical conduction operating in the heart
(which is described on the page about The Functions of the
Heart).
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Diagram (2)a
Diagram
2(b) |
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Further information about the functioning of the heart and
the vascular system generally are included on other pages
of this website. (See the index at the top-left of this page.)
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