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This lab activity is aligned with Visible
Body’s Human Anatomy Atlas app.
Learn more at visiblebody.com/professors
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I. LOCATION OF THE HEART
To Start: Go to the “Views” menu at the top of the screen, select “Systems” in the gray bar, and
go down to the Circulatory System Views. Select “2. Location of the heart.” Make the following
observations, and note you are responsible for the bolded terms:
1. What is a basic description of the hearts function?
2. What is the approximate size and weight of the heart?
3. By rotating the image and highlighting the visible bones, make a list of the bones which form the
protective thoracic cage around the heart:
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Brachiocephalic trunk
Superior vena cava
Ascending aorta
Right ventricle
Right atrium
Right pulmonary arteries
Larynx
Trachea
Aortic arch
Left pulmonary arteries
Pulmonary trunk
Left atrium
Left ventricle
Apex of the heart
Location of the Heart (Anterior View)
4. What is the function of the thoracic cage in regard to the heart?
5. What is the location of the heart in reference to the right and left lungs?
6. Which lung experiences the greatest displacement due to the location of the heart? Highlight this
lung and read its description. What is this “indentation” of the heart called?
7. Deselect the skeletal system to hide the thoracic cage and rotate the image to see the trachea and
esophagus. What is the placement of the heart in regard to the trachea and esophagus?
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Trachea
Thoracic
(or descending) aorta
Left common carotid artery
Left pulmonary veins
Left subclavian artery
Aortic arch
Left primary bronchus
Esophagus
Superior vena cava
Right primary bronchus
Right pulmonary veins
Location of the Heart (Posterior View)
8. Hide the lungs by deselecting the respiratory system icon on the left-hand side of the screen. You
should now be able to see the vessels associated with the “pulmonary circuit” of blood flow. Select any
part of the pulmonary trunk, and use its description to answer the following questions:
a. The flow of blood from the heart to the lungs, then back to the heart is known as the
pulmonary circuit. What does this indicate about the oxygen content of blood in these vessels?
b. The pulmonary trunk supports pulmonary circulation by carrying _________________________
blood from the _________________________ of the heart into the lungs for _________________________.
c. At the aortic arch, the pulmonary trunk divides into the _________________________.
d. The pulmonary arteries and the pulmonary trunk are the only arteries in the adult body to
carry _________________________ blood.
e. Identify the pulmonary valve.
9. Select any part of the pulmonary arteries and read the description to answer the following
questions:
a. What color is used to distinguish the pulmonary arteries?
b. The _________________________ pulmonary artery is longer and larger than the
_________________________ pulmonary artery.
c. In the lungs, pulmonary arteries branch into arterioles and then into networks of
_________________________.
d. What happens to the oxygen content of the blood as it passes through these pulmonary
capillaries?
e. Be sure to distinguish between the right and the left pulmonary arteries before moving on.
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10. Select any part of the pulmonary veins and read the description to answer the following
questions:
a. What color is used to distinguish the pulmonary veins? What does this indicate about the
oxygen content of blood in these vessels?
b. These veins return _________________________ blood from the lungs to the ________________________
atrium of the heart for distribution via _________________________ circulation to the rest of the body.
c. How many pulmonary veins empty blood into the heart?
d. Do they have valves like most other veins?
e. Be sure to distinguish between the right and the left pulmonary veins before moving on.
11. Select any part of the aorta and read the description to answer the following questions:
a. The flow of blood from the heart to the tissues of the body, then back to the heart is known as
the systemic circuit.
b. The aorta is the largest _________________________ in the body.
c. The aorta receives blood from the _________________________ ventricle through the
________________________ valve.
d. What two arteries branch off of the initial part of the aorta, known as the ascending aorta?
e. Where does the aortic arch begin?
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f. Name the three branches off of the aortic arch:
g. At which point does the aortic arch become the descending aorta?
h. Highlight the aortic arch, and click the “pathologies” icon. Summarize the condition known as
an aortic aneurysm.
TIME TO PRACTICE!
GO TO THE QUIZZES MENU, AND TAKE QUIZ 20 ON PULMONARY CIRCULATION.
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II. HEART WALL AND PERICARDIUM
To Start: Go to the app’s main menu. Type “pericardium” into the search bar, and select
“Pericardium” that appears under “Structures.” Read the description that appears when you select
the book icon in the content box to answer the following questions:
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Pericardium
Heart Wall (Exterior)
1. What is the outer layer of the pericardium called? What is its function?
2. Just deep to the fibrous pericardium is the serous pericardium. There are two layers of serous
pericardium that surround the heart:
a. The _________________________ layer of the serous pericardium lines the inside of the fibrous
pericardium.
b. The _________________________ layer of the serous pericardium covers the heart and the great
vessels. It forms the outermost part of the heart wall known as the _________________________.
c. What is the fluid-filled space between these visceral and parietal layers called? What is its
function?
3. Highlight the pericardium, and click the “pathologies” icon. What pathologies are associated with
the pericardium?
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Endocardium
Myocardium
Heart Wall (Interior)
4. “Hide” the pericardium to reveal the surface of the heart wall, and read the description.
a. List the two ways the outermost layer of the heart is described:
b. What is the middle layer of the heart wall?
i. What is the function of this layer?
ii. This layer is most likely comprised of which type of muscle tissue?
iii. According to the reading, what triggers the contractions of the heart?
iv. “Hide” the surface of the heart to reveal the thickness of the myocardium.
v. Highlight the myocardium, and click the “pathologies” icon. What is cardiomyopathy,
and what complications are associated with it?
c. What is the inner layer of the heart wall? (Answer can be found in the description of
myocardium.)
i. What types of tissue form this layer?
d. In the space below, make a simple sketch to show the layering of the heart wall. You can use
the “radius blast” icon to restore the more superficial layers of the heart for review.
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III. CORONARY CIRCULATION
To Start: Return to the main menu. Type “coronary vessels” into the search bar, and select
“Coronary vessels” that appears under Structures. Read the description that appears when you
select the book icon in the content box.
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Right coronary artery
Atrial branch
(of the right coronary artery)
Right marginal artery
Anterior artery of
right ventricle
Anterior interventricular
branch of left coronary artery
Anterior cardiac veins
of the right ventricle
Coronary Circulation (Anterior View)
1. According to the description provided, what is the function of coronary arteries?
2. According to the description provided, what is the function of coronary veins?
3. Select and fade both atria of the heart to give you a better view of the coronary circulation.
4. Follow the directions below to study the coronary arteries. After reading the initial description, be
sure to rotate the heart and identify all coronary arteries listed below:
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Circumflex branch of
left coronary artery
Great cardiac vein
Posterior vein of
left ventricle
Coronary sinus
Small cardiac vein
Middle cardiac vein
Posterior interventricular
branch (of the right
coronary artery)
Coronary Circulation (Posterior View)
a. Select the right coronary artery. This artery and its branches supply blood to
the_________________________and the_________________________. It extends from
the_________________________and runs to the right of the _________________________.The
firstlarge branch off the right coronary artery is the right marginal artery which supplies
branches to the right ventricle.As it reaches the posterior longitudinal sulcus, it branches into
the_________________________,which extends to the apex of the heart.
b. Also be sure to identify the anterior artery of the right ventricle and the atrial branch.
c. Select the left coronary artery. Note: You may need to hide or fade the left atrium to
see the left coronary artery. The left coronary artery and its branches supply blood
to the _________________________ and the _________________________. The left coronary
artery is _________________________ than the right coronary artery, and arise from the
_________________________. The left coronary artery divides into the anterior interventricular
branch and the circumflex branch.
d. What does the term “interventricular” indicate about a vessel’s location?
e. Highlight the right coronary artery, and click the “pathologies” icon.
i. What is atherosclerosis? What complications can arise from this condition?
ii. What is the cause of most heart attacks?
5. Identify the following coronary veins:
a. Great cardiac vein
b. Posterior vein of the left ventricle
c. Anterior cardiac veins of the right ventricle
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d. Small cardiac vein
e. Middle cardiac (posterior interventricular) vein
f. The coronary sinus is a convergence of veins which drains _________________________ blood
directly into the _________________________. What structure prevents regurgitation of blood back
into the sinus during the contraction of the atrium?
TIME TO PRACTICE!
GO TO THE QUIZZES MENU, AND TAKE QUIZ 21 ON CORONARY CIRCULATION.
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IV. CHAMBERS OF THE HEART
To Start: Return to the main menu. Type “heart” into the search bar. Select “7. Heart section” from
the menu under Views.
1. Select the right atrium and read its description. This chamber receives _________________________
blood from which three structures:
a. Blood from the right atrium will empty into the _________________________.
b. The right atrium is _________________________ than the left atrium, and its walls are somewhat
_________________________ than the left atrium.
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Aortic arch
Pulmonary trunk
Pulmonary vein
Pulmonary valve
Left atrium
Left pulmonary artery
Moderator band
Interventricular septum
Left ventricle
Myocardium
Conus arteriosus
Apex
Right atrium
Tricuspid valve
Chordae tendineae
Inferior vena cava
Papillary muscle
Superior vena cava
Right pulmonary artery
Heart Internal Anatomy
2. Select the left atrium and read its description. This chamber receives _________________________
blood from the _________________________.
a. Blood from the left atrium will empty into the _________________________.
b. What is the purpose of the atrial septum?
c. Identify the pectinate muscles within the right atrium.
3. Select the right ventricle and read its description. The right ventricle receives blood from the
_________________________ through the _________________________ valve, and is responsible for pumping
deoxygenated blood into the _________________________ through the _________________________ valve.
a. While exploring the right ventricle, identify the conical pouch known as the conus arteriosus.
This pouch gives rise to which two structures?
b. Identify the interventricular septum. It is a division between which two structures?
c. Identify the moderator band and describe its location.
4. Select the left ventricle and read its description. The left ventricle receives blood from the
_________________________ (see previous questions) and is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood into
the _________________________ through the _________________________ valve (to be identified below).
5. Which ventricle has the thickest walls? Why do you think this is important?
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6. Which ventricle forms the apex of the heart?
7. What are trabeculae carneae?
TIME TO PRACTICE!
GO TO THE QUIZZES MENU, AND TAKE QUIZ 22 ON THE HEART CHAMBERS.
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V. HEART VALVES
To Start: Return to the main menu. Type “heart valves” into the search bar, and select “Heart
valves,” which appears under “Structures.” Read the description that appears when you select the
book icon in the content box. Summarize the function of the heart valves in the space below:
1. Identify the right atrioventricular (AV) valve.
a. What is the alternate name for this valve? What does this name signify?
b. Blood passes through the right AV valve as it moves from the _________________________ to the
_________________________.
c. When the right atrium contracts, these valves will be open/closed (circle one).
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Heart Valves
Posterior
Anterior
Right coronary artery
Left coronary artery
Pulmonary valve
Aortic valve
Circumflex branch of
left coronary artery
Tricuspid (right
atrioventricular valve)
Mitral (left
atrioventricular valve)
d. When the right ventricle contracts, these valves will _________________________, preventing
_________________________.
e. What is the oxygen quality of blood passing through this valve?
f. Identify the chordae tendineae of this valve. These fibers connect the cusps of the valve to
the _________________________ muscles on the ventricle walls. What is the function of these chordae
tendineae?
g. Identify the papillary muscles in the right ventricle.
2. Identify the left atrioventricular (AV) valve.
a. What are the alternate names for this valve? What do they signify?
b. Blood passes through the left AV Valve as it moves from the _________________________ to the
_________________________.
c. When the left atrium contracts, these valves will be open/closed (circle one).
d. When the left ventricle contracts, these valves will _________________________, preventing
_________________________.
e. What is the oxygen quality of blood passing through this valve?
f. Identify the chordae tendineae and the papillary muscles associated with this valve.
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3. Identify the pulmonary valve.
a. How many cusps does this valve have?
b. Blood passes through the pulmonary valve as it moves from the _________________________ to
the _________________________.
c. When the right ventricle contracts, these valves will open/close (circle one).
d. What causes this valve to close at the end of ventricular systole (contraction)?
e. What is the oxygen quality of blood passing through this valve?
4. Identify the aortic valve.
a. How many cusps does this valve have? How do these cusps compare with those of the
pulmonary valve?
b. Blood passes through the aortic valve as it moves from the _________________________ to the
_________________________.
c. When the right ventricle contracts, these valves will open/close (circle one).
d. What causes this valve to close at the end of ventricular systole (contraction)?
e. What is the oxygen quality of blood passing through this valve?
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5. Highlight any one of the four heart valves, and click the “pathologies” icon.
a. What is regurgitation, and what can cause this condition?
b. What is stenosis?
TIME TO PRACTICE!
GO TO THE QUIZZES MENU, AND TAKE QUIZ 23 ON THE HEART VALVES.
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VI. CONDUCTION SYSTEM
To Start: If continuing this exercise from the view of the heart valves, hit the “radius blast” button
one time to reveal the conduction system. If you are not currently using the view associated with
the heart valves, return to main menu and find the search bar. Enter “conduction system. Select
“Conduction system” that appears under “Structures.” Read the description that appears when
you select the book icon in the content box. Answer the following questions from the description
window:
1. The conduction system of the heart is controlled by the _________________________ nervous system.
2. List the five steps of each electrical impulse as written in the description:
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Conduction System
SA node
Middle internodal bundle
AV node
Posterior internodal bundle
Right bundle branch
Right purkinje fibers
Left bundle branch
Left purkinje fibers
Interatrial bundle
3. Each electrical impulse of the conduction system takes approximately _________________________ to
complete this cycle.
4. Identify the sinoatrial node (SA node) node by “hiding” the right atrium (if not otherwise hidden).
The SA node is situated on the anterior border of the opening of the _________________________. An
electrical impulse that starts at the sinoatrial node travels through the _________________________ bundle
to the left atrium, and into the internodal fibers toward the _________________________ node.
5. Identify the atrioventricular node (AV node) by hiding the right ventricle.
The AV node is located near the orifice of the _________________________ in the right atrium. Between
the start of the impulse at the sinoatrial node and the pause at the atrioventricular node the right
and left atria _________________________. After the pause, the electricle impulse continues into the
_________________________.
6. Select the atrioventricular bundle (bundle of His). The bundle extends from the
atrioventricular node into the lower part of the _________________________. The bundle divides into
_________________________.
7. Select and read about the right and left bundle branches. At the bundle branch, the pathway
of an electrical impulse diverges toward _________________________. In the lower parts of the ventricles,
each bundle branch differentiates into numerous strands that end in the _________________________ and
_________________________. An electrical impulse travels through each bundle branch into the ventricles
by stimulation from the _________________________ fibers.
8. Identify the purkinje fibers. What is their function?
9. Highlight the right atrium, and click the “pathologies” icon.
a. What is atrial fibrillation?
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b. What term describes an arrhythmia in which the heart beats too fast?
c. What term describes an arrhythmia in which the heart beats too fast?
TIME TO PRACTICE! GO TO THE QUIZZES MENU, AND TAKE QUIZ 24 OVER THE HEART
CONDUCTION.
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VII. VIEW OF A THORACIC CROSS SECTION
To Start: Starting at the main menu, use the “view” menu to open the “cross sections” menu.
Choose the cross section of “2.Thorax (T03-T04) and answer the following questions:
1. Using this inferior view of the thorax, identify the following structures:
a. Esophagus
b. Trachea
c. Left lung
d. Right lung
e. Manubrium of the sternum
f. T04 vertebra
g. Aortic arch
2. Flip the image to look at this cross section in a superior view. Identify the following structures:
a. Esophagus
b. Trachea
c. Left lung
d. Right lung
e. Manubrium of the sternum
f. T03 vertebra
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Cross section (Inferior view)
Left lung
Left subclavian artery
Aortic arch
Manubrium of sternum
Left
brachiocephalic vein
Trachea
Right brachiocephalic vein
Right lung
Right common
carotid artery
Brachiocephalic trunk
(innominate artery)
g. Aortic arch
h. Brachiocephalic trunk
i. Left common carotid artery
j. Left subclavian artery
3. Choose the arrow in the label menu to progress to the next thoracic section, “ Thorax (T04-T05).
Make sure you are looking at the superior view, and identify the following structures:
a. Esophagus
b. Trachea
c. Left lung
d. Right lung
e. Manubrium of the sternum
f. T04 vertebra
g. Superior vena cava
h. Aortic arch
4. Flip the image to look at this cross section in an inferior view. Identify the following structures:
a. Esophagus
b. Tracheal cartilages
c. Left lung
d. Right lung
e. T05 vertebra
f. Base of the aorta (ascending aorta)
g. Aortic arch
h. Superior vena cava
i. Pulmonary trunk
j. Left pulmonary arteries
k. Right pulmonary arteries
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5. Choose the arrow in the label menu to progress to the next thoracic section, “ Thorax (T05-T08).
Make sure you are looking at the superior view, and identify the following structures:
a. Esophagus
b. Left lung
c. Right lung
d. Right and left atria (fade the lungs in order to see them)
e. Thymus
f. Right and left primary bronchus (leading into the lungs)
g. Left pulmonary arteries
h. Right pulmonary ateries
i. Pulmonary trunk
j. Base of the aorta (ascending aorta)
k. Superior vena cava
l. Pericardium
6. Flip the image to look at this cross section in an inferior view. Identify the following structures:
a. Left lung
b. Right lung
c. Esophagus
d. Descending (thoracic) aorta
e. Right atrium
f. Sinoatrial node
g. Right atrioventricular (tricuspid) valve
h. Right ventricle
i. Pulmonary valve
j. Interventricular septum
k. Left ventricle
l. Left atrioventricular (mitral, bicuspid) valve
m. Aortic valve
n. Left atrium (fade the left ventricle to see from the inferior view)
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7. Choose the arrow in the label menu to progress to the next thoracic section, “ Thorax (T08-T11).
Make sure you are looking at the superior view, and identify the following structures:
a. Left lung
b. Right lung
c. Esophagus
d. Descending (thoracic) aorta
e. Right atrium
f. Inferior vena cava
g. Left atrium
h. Coronary sinus (fade the left and right atria to see from the superior view)
i. Right ventricle
j. Left ventricle
k. Right atrioventricular (tricuspid) valve
l. Chordae tendineae of right AV valve (those of the left AV valve are also visible)
m. Papillary muscles of both ventricles
n. Moderator band
o. Interventricular septum
p. Bundle branches of cardiac conduction system (fade the interventricular septum to see from
superior view)
8. Flip the image to look at this cross section in an inferior view. Identify the following structures:
a. Liver
b. Inferior vena cava (fade the lobes of the liver for best view)
c. Descending (abdominal) aorta
d. Stomach
e. Diaphragm
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VIII. PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Use the answers to the questions throughout this exercise to summarize the cycle of blood flow
through the heart.
1. While the right atrium is relaxed, it will fill with ________________________ blood from which three
structures associated with the systemic circuit?
2. As the right atrium contracts, it will propel this blood through the open ________________________ valve
and into the ________________________ (heart chamber). As this heart chamber fills, rising pressure will
cause the right AV valve to open/close (circle one), while the pulmonary valve will open/close (circle
one).
3. Blood passing through the open pulmonary valve will enter the ________________________ and pass
through the right and left ________________________ arteries on its way to the lungs.
4. Gas exchange will occur in the lungs, allowing ________________________ blood to return to the heart.
This cycle of circulation is known as ________________________ circulation.
5. Blood will return to the heart through the right and left ________________________ veins.
6. These pulmonary veins will empty ________________________ blood into the right atrium/left atrium
(circle one).
7. As the left atrium contracts, blood will be propelled through the open ________________________ valve
and into the ________________________ (heart chamber). As this heart chamber fills, rising pressure will
cause the left AV valve to open/close (circle one), while the aortic valve will open/close (circle one).
8. Blood passing through the open aortic valve will enter the ________________________ on its way to
supplying body tissues. This is the beginning of what is known as ________________________ circulation.
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Location of the Heart (Anterior View)
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Location of the Heart (Posterior View)
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Heart Wall (Exterior)
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Heart Wall (Interior)
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Coronary Circulation (Anterior View)
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Coronary Circulation (Posterior View)
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Heart Internal Anatomy
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Heart Valves
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Conduction System
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Cross section (Inferior view)