BHSC 203
Systems Anatomy & Physiology
The Cardiovascular System
Basic Health Sciences (BHSC) Program
Academic Year 2024–2025
, 1. Overview
The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood. Its primary
functions are to transport oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout
the body.
2. The Heart
2.1 Cardiac Anatomy
• Four chambers: right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle
• Right side: receives deoxygenated blood from body; pumps to lungs
• Left side: receives oxygenated blood from lungs; pumps to body
Heart Valves:
• Atrioventricular (AV) valves: tricuspid (right), mitral/bicuspid (left)
• Semilunar valves: pulmonary (right), aortic (left)
Heart Wall Layers:
• Epicardium: outer layer (visceral pericardium)
• Myocardium: middle, thick muscular layer
• Endocardium: inner lining; continuous with blood vessel endothelium
2.2 Cardiac Conduction System
1. SA node (sinoatrial): natural pacemaker; sets heart rate (~70 bpm)
2. AV node (atrioventricular): delays impulse to allow ventricular filling
3. Bundle of His: conducts impulse to interventricular septum
4. Bundle branches: right and left
5. Purkinje fibers: spread impulse throughout ventricles for coordinated contraction
ECG P wave = atrial depolarization | QRS complex = ventricular depolarization |
Components T wave = ventricular repolarization
Systems Anatomy & Physiology
The Cardiovascular System
Basic Health Sciences (BHSC) Program
Academic Year 2024–2025
, 1. Overview
The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood. Its primary
functions are to transport oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout
the body.
2. The Heart
2.1 Cardiac Anatomy
• Four chambers: right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle
• Right side: receives deoxygenated blood from body; pumps to lungs
• Left side: receives oxygenated blood from lungs; pumps to body
Heart Valves:
• Atrioventricular (AV) valves: tricuspid (right), mitral/bicuspid (left)
• Semilunar valves: pulmonary (right), aortic (left)
Heart Wall Layers:
• Epicardium: outer layer (visceral pericardium)
• Myocardium: middle, thick muscular layer
• Endocardium: inner lining; continuous with blood vessel endothelium
2.2 Cardiac Conduction System
1. SA node (sinoatrial): natural pacemaker; sets heart rate (~70 bpm)
2. AV node (atrioventricular): delays impulse to allow ventricular filling
3. Bundle of His: conducts impulse to interventricular septum
4. Bundle branches: right and left
5. Purkinje fibers: spread impulse throughout ventricles for coordinated contraction
ECG P wave = atrial depolarization | QRS complex = ventricular depolarization |
Components T wave = ventricular repolarization
