Echocardiography 101
Understanding the Heart: A
Comprehensive Guide to
Echocardiography 101.
Current Updated Guide 2025/2026.
Blood flow - ansSvc, Ivc, Cs, - RA - TV - RV - PV - MPA - RT & LT PA - arterioles -
pulmonary capillaries - venules - PV4 - LA - MV - LV - AOV - AAO - aortic arch -
descending thoracic aorta - descending abdominal aorta - rt & lt common iliac artery -
arteries - arterioles - capillaries - venules - veins - SVC, IVC, CS - RA
The left heart is associated with the _______ circulatory system - ansSystemic
high pressure, high resistance, O2 sat 98%
The right heart is associated with the ________ circulatory system. - ansPulmonary
low resistance, low pressure, O2 sat: 75%
Pulmonic Valve Cusps - ansAnterior, Right Posterior, and Left Posterior
Are the semilunar valves open or closed during systole? - ansOpen
SOS = systolic vales open during systole
What are the semilunar valves? - ansAOV & PV
The RA & LA are towards the _______ of the heart - ansbase
The RV & LV make up the - ansapex
What is the purpose of the papillary muscle? - ansit pulls on the chordae tendineae to prevent
back flow by keeping the leaflets closed
Mitral Valve - ansaka the bicuspid valve
between the LA and LV
Has two leaflets: AMVL & PMVL
The TV is between the ____ - ansRA & RV
Both the MV and TV are _____ during systole and _______ during diastole - ansclosed; open
Diastolic Valves
What are the Great Arteries? - ansMPA & AO
The atriums are the _______ chambers
the ventricles are the __________ chambers - ansFilling
Pumping
Tricuspid Valve - ansLargest cardiac valve
3 leaflets: ATVL, PTVL, STVL
What are the atrioventricular valves? - anstricuspid and mitral
T or F: The main pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the RV to the lungs -
ansTrue
Hairlike projections found on the aortic cusps. (They serve no purpose) - ansLambl's
Excrescences
The RVOT has has what other two names? - ansinfundibulum & conus arteriosus
What is the maximum distance between the aortic cusps during early systole, while the AOV
is open? - ansAortic cusp separation
thebesian veins - ansreturns blood from the myocardium directly into the cardiac chambers
without entering the cardiac venous system
,Echocardiography 101
Understanding the Heart: A
Comprehensive Guide to
Echocardiography 101.
Current Updated Guide 2025/2026.
Annulus Fibrosus - anstough, fibrous ring that surrounds the superior edge of the valvular
leaflets and anchors them between the atria and the ventricle (atrioventricular valves
The LV has what 2 things? - ansLVOT & LVIT
What is the area between the left subclavian artery and the ligamentum arteriosum? - ansAO
Isthmus
Pocket like structure within the aortic root - ansSinus of Valsalva
The Chiari network can be found where? - ansOnly in the RA
The coronary sinus is positioned behind what? - ansLA
In the center of the free edge of each cusp of the AOV is a small nodule that helps make sure
a valve is closed - ansNodule of Arantius
What percentage of the population has a right dominant coronary artery system? - ans~ 85%
What is the super highway of the systemic circulatory system? It brings blood to the body. -
ansThe aorta
What are the names of the 4 pulmonary veins? - ansRight and left upper and lower
What is high pressure in the pulmonary atery? - ansPulmonary hypertension
The Pulmonic Capillary Wedge Pressure is an indirect measurement of what? - ansleft atrial
pressure
Both = 10 mmHg
What two things does the right ventricle have? - ansRVIT & RVOT
The moderator band can be seen where? - ansRV
What is lack of oxygenated blood and necrosis? - ansInfarction
Where is the thickest heart wall and why? - ansLeft Ventricle
It pumps blood to the whole systemic system
If the IVC doesn't collapse with the "sniff test" what could be happening? - ans1. pulmonary
hypertension
2. elevated LVEDP
The Left Atrial Appendage can rule out what? - ansthrombus
Distal - ansaway from the origin
Proximal - ansnear the origin
Lateral - ansaway from the midline
Medial - anstoward the midline
Inferior - ansaka diaphragmatic
toward the feet, below, or lower
Anterior - ansaka ventral
front of the body
Superior - ansaka basal
toward the head, higher, or above
Arteries carry blood - ansaway from the heart
,Echocardiography 101
Understanding the Heart: A
Comprehensive Guide to
Echocardiography 101.
Current Updated Guide 2025/2026.
Veins carry blood - anstowards the heart
What is the O2 saturation in the coronary sinus? - ans60%
lowest oxygen saturation in the body
O2 saturation in the left heart - ans98%
O2 saturation in the right heart - ans75%
Superior Vena Cava length - ans2.5 - 3.0 inches
Inferior Vena Cava diameter - ans1.2 - 2.1 cm
TV area - ans7-9 cm2
AOV area - ans>2 cm2
PV area - ans>2 cm2
MV area - ans2.5-6 cm^2
AOV velocity - ans1.0-1.7 m/s
MV velocity - ans0.6-1.3 m/s
PV velocity - ans0.6-0.9 m/s
TV velocity - ans0.3-0.7 m/s
The aortic arch contains what 3 things? - ans1. brachiocephalic (innominate) artery
2. left common carotid artery
3. left subclavian artery
The SVC receives blood from where? - ansthe brain and upper extremities
What are the SVC and IVC responsible for? - ansthe return of deoxygenated blood to the RA
What divides the RV and LV? - ansthe interventricular septum
What is the foramen ovale? - ansA shunt in the interatrial septum during fetal circulation.
Closes at birth where it is now called a fossa ovalis
What does the posterior descending artery feed? - ansInferior LV
What does the acute marginal feed? - ansRV
What does the right coronary artery biforcate into? - ansacute marginal & posterior
descending artery
What two branches does the left coronary artery biforcate into? - ansleft anterior descending
artery & left circumflex
What does the left circumflex feed? - ansPosterior LV
Atria R & L
Lateral LV
Left anterior descending coronary artery feeds what? - ansAnterior LV
Septal LV
Apex LV
Apex of the heart - ansbottom of the heart
most inferior, rotates anterior, in a leftward direction
Base of the heart - anstop of the heart
, Echocardiography 101
Understanding the Heart: A
Comprehensive Guide to
Echocardiography 101.
Current Updated Guide 2025/2026.
most superior, rotates posterior, in a rightward direction
Aortic Valve - ansRight Coronary Cusps --> right coronary artery
Left coronary cusps --> left coronary artery
Non-coronary cusps --> NOTHING
What are the two layers of the pericardium? - ansFibrous - the outer layer
Serous - inner layer
What chamber acts as a reservoir for systemic venous return? - ansRA
Posterior - ansaka dorsal
back of body
Ischemia & infarction are caused by a blockage where? - anscoronary artery
The great cardiac vein (coronary vein) collects blood from: - ansanterior myocardium
The middle cardiac vein (posterior cardiac vein) collects blood from where? - ansPosterior
myocardium
what are the 2 main veins? - ansSVC & IVC
The pericardial space lies between what 2 layers of the pericardium? - ansPariental and
visceral
the coronary sinus has what valve? - ansthebesian valve
located between the RA and CS
Lack of oxygenated blood - ansischemia
What valve does the IVC have? - anseustachian valve
What percentage of the population has a co-dominant coronary artery system? - ans~ 7%
What percentage of the population has a left dominant coronary artery system? - ans~ 8%
What is the largest valve? - ansTricuspid
What are the 5 great vessels? - ansSVC
IVC
MPA
PV4
AO
The RCC gives rise to the ______ - ansright coronary artery
LCC gives rise to _____ - ansleft coronary artery
What divides the right and left atrium? - ansinteratrial septum
The heart wall consists of three layers. What are their names and anatomical location? -
ansEpicardium - the outermost layer (also the visceral layer of the serous pericardium)
Myocardium - the middle layer
Endocardium - thin layer of the endothelium & underlying connective tissue that lines the
inner chambers of the heart
If the pericardial space fills up with more than 30 mL of fluid, what anomaly is this? -
ansPericardial Effusion
Understanding the Heart: A
Comprehensive Guide to
Echocardiography 101.
Current Updated Guide 2025/2026.
Blood flow - ansSvc, Ivc, Cs, - RA - TV - RV - PV - MPA - RT & LT PA - arterioles -
pulmonary capillaries - venules - PV4 - LA - MV - LV - AOV - AAO - aortic arch -
descending thoracic aorta - descending abdominal aorta - rt & lt common iliac artery -
arteries - arterioles - capillaries - venules - veins - SVC, IVC, CS - RA
The left heart is associated with the _______ circulatory system - ansSystemic
high pressure, high resistance, O2 sat 98%
The right heart is associated with the ________ circulatory system. - ansPulmonary
low resistance, low pressure, O2 sat: 75%
Pulmonic Valve Cusps - ansAnterior, Right Posterior, and Left Posterior
Are the semilunar valves open or closed during systole? - ansOpen
SOS = systolic vales open during systole
What are the semilunar valves? - ansAOV & PV
The RA & LA are towards the _______ of the heart - ansbase
The RV & LV make up the - ansapex
What is the purpose of the papillary muscle? - ansit pulls on the chordae tendineae to prevent
back flow by keeping the leaflets closed
Mitral Valve - ansaka the bicuspid valve
between the LA and LV
Has two leaflets: AMVL & PMVL
The TV is between the ____ - ansRA & RV
Both the MV and TV are _____ during systole and _______ during diastole - ansclosed; open
Diastolic Valves
What are the Great Arteries? - ansMPA & AO
The atriums are the _______ chambers
the ventricles are the __________ chambers - ansFilling
Pumping
Tricuspid Valve - ansLargest cardiac valve
3 leaflets: ATVL, PTVL, STVL
What are the atrioventricular valves? - anstricuspid and mitral
T or F: The main pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the RV to the lungs -
ansTrue
Hairlike projections found on the aortic cusps. (They serve no purpose) - ansLambl's
Excrescences
The RVOT has has what other two names? - ansinfundibulum & conus arteriosus
What is the maximum distance between the aortic cusps during early systole, while the AOV
is open? - ansAortic cusp separation
thebesian veins - ansreturns blood from the myocardium directly into the cardiac chambers
without entering the cardiac venous system
,Echocardiography 101
Understanding the Heart: A
Comprehensive Guide to
Echocardiography 101.
Current Updated Guide 2025/2026.
Annulus Fibrosus - anstough, fibrous ring that surrounds the superior edge of the valvular
leaflets and anchors them between the atria and the ventricle (atrioventricular valves
The LV has what 2 things? - ansLVOT & LVIT
What is the area between the left subclavian artery and the ligamentum arteriosum? - ansAO
Isthmus
Pocket like structure within the aortic root - ansSinus of Valsalva
The Chiari network can be found where? - ansOnly in the RA
The coronary sinus is positioned behind what? - ansLA
In the center of the free edge of each cusp of the AOV is a small nodule that helps make sure
a valve is closed - ansNodule of Arantius
What percentage of the population has a right dominant coronary artery system? - ans~ 85%
What is the super highway of the systemic circulatory system? It brings blood to the body. -
ansThe aorta
What are the names of the 4 pulmonary veins? - ansRight and left upper and lower
What is high pressure in the pulmonary atery? - ansPulmonary hypertension
The Pulmonic Capillary Wedge Pressure is an indirect measurement of what? - ansleft atrial
pressure
Both = 10 mmHg
What two things does the right ventricle have? - ansRVIT & RVOT
The moderator band can be seen where? - ansRV
What is lack of oxygenated blood and necrosis? - ansInfarction
Where is the thickest heart wall and why? - ansLeft Ventricle
It pumps blood to the whole systemic system
If the IVC doesn't collapse with the "sniff test" what could be happening? - ans1. pulmonary
hypertension
2. elevated LVEDP
The Left Atrial Appendage can rule out what? - ansthrombus
Distal - ansaway from the origin
Proximal - ansnear the origin
Lateral - ansaway from the midline
Medial - anstoward the midline
Inferior - ansaka diaphragmatic
toward the feet, below, or lower
Anterior - ansaka ventral
front of the body
Superior - ansaka basal
toward the head, higher, or above
Arteries carry blood - ansaway from the heart
,Echocardiography 101
Understanding the Heart: A
Comprehensive Guide to
Echocardiography 101.
Current Updated Guide 2025/2026.
Veins carry blood - anstowards the heart
What is the O2 saturation in the coronary sinus? - ans60%
lowest oxygen saturation in the body
O2 saturation in the left heart - ans98%
O2 saturation in the right heart - ans75%
Superior Vena Cava length - ans2.5 - 3.0 inches
Inferior Vena Cava diameter - ans1.2 - 2.1 cm
TV area - ans7-9 cm2
AOV area - ans>2 cm2
PV area - ans>2 cm2
MV area - ans2.5-6 cm^2
AOV velocity - ans1.0-1.7 m/s
MV velocity - ans0.6-1.3 m/s
PV velocity - ans0.6-0.9 m/s
TV velocity - ans0.3-0.7 m/s
The aortic arch contains what 3 things? - ans1. brachiocephalic (innominate) artery
2. left common carotid artery
3. left subclavian artery
The SVC receives blood from where? - ansthe brain and upper extremities
What are the SVC and IVC responsible for? - ansthe return of deoxygenated blood to the RA
What divides the RV and LV? - ansthe interventricular septum
What is the foramen ovale? - ansA shunt in the interatrial septum during fetal circulation.
Closes at birth where it is now called a fossa ovalis
What does the posterior descending artery feed? - ansInferior LV
What does the acute marginal feed? - ansRV
What does the right coronary artery biforcate into? - ansacute marginal & posterior
descending artery
What two branches does the left coronary artery biforcate into? - ansleft anterior descending
artery & left circumflex
What does the left circumflex feed? - ansPosterior LV
Atria R & L
Lateral LV
Left anterior descending coronary artery feeds what? - ansAnterior LV
Septal LV
Apex LV
Apex of the heart - ansbottom of the heart
most inferior, rotates anterior, in a leftward direction
Base of the heart - anstop of the heart
, Echocardiography 101
Understanding the Heart: A
Comprehensive Guide to
Echocardiography 101.
Current Updated Guide 2025/2026.
most superior, rotates posterior, in a rightward direction
Aortic Valve - ansRight Coronary Cusps --> right coronary artery
Left coronary cusps --> left coronary artery
Non-coronary cusps --> NOTHING
What are the two layers of the pericardium? - ansFibrous - the outer layer
Serous - inner layer
What chamber acts as a reservoir for systemic venous return? - ansRA
Posterior - ansaka dorsal
back of body
Ischemia & infarction are caused by a blockage where? - anscoronary artery
The great cardiac vein (coronary vein) collects blood from: - ansanterior myocardium
The middle cardiac vein (posterior cardiac vein) collects blood from where? - ansPosterior
myocardium
what are the 2 main veins? - ansSVC & IVC
The pericardial space lies between what 2 layers of the pericardium? - ansPariental and
visceral
the coronary sinus has what valve? - ansthebesian valve
located between the RA and CS
Lack of oxygenated blood - ansischemia
What valve does the IVC have? - anseustachian valve
What percentage of the population has a co-dominant coronary artery system? - ans~ 7%
What percentage of the population has a left dominant coronary artery system? - ans~ 8%
What is the largest valve? - ansTricuspid
What are the 5 great vessels? - ansSVC
IVC
MPA
PV4
AO
The RCC gives rise to the ______ - ansright coronary artery
LCC gives rise to _____ - ansleft coronary artery
What divides the right and left atrium? - ansinteratrial septum
The heart wall consists of three layers. What are their names and anatomical location? -
ansEpicardium - the outermost layer (also the visceral layer of the serous pericardium)
Myocardium - the middle layer
Endocardium - thin layer of the endothelium & underlying connective tissue that lines the
inner chambers of the heart
If the pericardial space fills up with more than 30 mL of fluid, what anomaly is this? -
ansPericardial Effusion
