Layers of the Heart Cardiac Cycle

INGS TO LEAR
TH N

Cardiac
Physiology The heart is a muscular organ responsible for pumping
blood throughout the body. To carry out this critical
function, the heart is composed of three distinct layers,
By: John Paul L. Laab | BSPT 1-2 each serving unique roles in its operation.

Explore the essential role of the heart in 1 Fibrous Pericardium 4 Epicardium 1 Atrial Contraction 1 The atria contract, forcing
blood into the relaxed
maintaining life. Learn about its structure, Tough, outer layer. Also known as the visceral ventricles.
pericardium.
function, and how it powers to maintain Protects the heart and
Functions as the heart's 2 Isovolumetric Contraction 2 The ventricles begin to
anchors it to surrounding outermost protective layer. contract, causing pressure
homeostasis. A guide to the science structures. Contains Blood vessels, to rise. However, no blood
lymphatics and nerves that
3 Ventricular Ejection is ejected yet.
behind a healthy heartbeat. supply the myocardium
2 Serous Pericardium 3 The pressure in the
ventricles becomes greater
Delicate, inner layer with 5 Myocardium 4 Isovolumetric Relaxation than in the arteries,
two sublayers: causing the semilunar
Parietal Layer: Lines the valves to open, and blood is
inner surface of the The thick, muscular
ejected into the aorta and
fibrous pericardium. middle layer.
5 Ventricular Filling pulmonary artery.
Visceral Layer: Covers Composed of cardiac
the surface of the heart. muscle responsible for 4 The ventricles begin to
heart contractions. relax, causing a drop in
Pericardial Space 6 Atrial Contraction pressure.
3 Endocardium
Contains fluid called
6 5 As pressure in the
as Pericardial fluid Compose of epithelial ventricles drops further,
which lubricates and muscle the AV valves open, and
reduces friction as the Covers valves of the blood from the atria rapidly
heart fills the ventricles.
heart contracts
 Tunica Intima Formed Elements in the Blood Cardiovascular Conditions
Innermost layer of blood vessels.
It has intimate contact with the
blood in the lumen Pericarditis
1 Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes) Inflammation of the pericardium
Tunica media or middle tunic Transport oxygen from the lungs to
tissues and carry carbon dioxide Myocarditis
Bulkiest layer in Arteries
back to the lungs. the heart muscle, often caused by viral infections, leading to
Mostly circularly arrange smooth
muscle cells and sheet of elastin chest pain and fatigue.

Endocarditis
Tunica externa 2 White Blood Cells (Leukocytes) Inflammation of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart,
Outermost layer Defend the body against infections, usually caused by bacterial infections, which can damage heart
Anchor it to its surrounding pathogens, and foreign substances. valves.
Protects and reinforce the vessels there 3 types
Ligamentum Arteriosum
The ductus arteriosus normally closes shortly after birth, leaving
a remnant
A Granulocytes
Feature Arteries Veins Capillaries store enzymes and chemicals that Myocardial Ischemia
help combat infections and Its is cause partial obstruction of blood flow in the coronary
inflammation arteries

Very thin Neutrophils

Wall Thick
(especially
Thin (single tunica I Angeina pectoralis
which literally means “strangled chest,” is a severe pain that
thickeness intima only) The first line of defense against
tunica media) usually accompanies myocardial ischemia.
bacterial and fungal infections.

Myocardial Infarction
Commonly known as a heart attack and occurs when blood
Lumen Narrower Wider Smallest II Eosinophils flow to a part of the heart is blocked which cause damage to the
lumen lumen lumen
size Involved in allergic reactions and heart muscle.
defense against parasitic infections
Aortic Insufficiency
There is backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle
Highly elastic Less elastic Not Basophils
Elastic (handles high (low
elastic
III Stenosis
pressure) pressure)
Release histamine and heparin The narrowing of heart valves or blood vessels, which restricts
during allergic and inflammatory
blood flow and can lead to heart strai n.
responses

Valves Absent Present Septal deffect

Absent B Agranulocytes A hole in the heart's septum
Lack visible granules in their cytoplasm
and have a smoother appearance under a Hypoxia
Carry Carry Allow exchange microscope A condition where there is insufficient oxygen in the tissues,
oxygenated of gases,
Function deoxygenated
blood toward nutrients, and
which can affect the heart and other organs.
blood away
from the heart the heart waste II Natural Killer (NK) Cells
I B-Cells Atrial Fibrillation
Attack virus-infected and
An irregular and often rapid heartbeat
Produce antibodies to cancerous cells.

Pressure Lowest (for neutralize pathogens.

Monocytes
High Low exchange)
Anastomoses
Phagocytize pathogens, dead cells, and Most parts of the body receive blood from branches of more
II T-cells debris. They transform into macrophages
than one artery, and where two or more arteries supply the
Destroy infected or abnormal same region, they usually connect.
cells and coordinate the Platelets (Thrombocytes)
immune response. Aid in blood clotting and prevent excessive
Tortora, G. J., & Derrickson, B. H. (2013). Principles of anatomy and
blood loss
physiology (14th ed.). Wiley.