Cardiovascular Study Guide

Prevents blood from flowing back into the atria when the ventricles contract.

• Aorta

• Tricuspid and bicuspid valves

When blood leaves this chamber of the heart, it heads out to the body.

• Semilunar valves

• Left ventricle

One of the body’s largest blood vessels that transports blood from the body regionbelow the diaphragm to the heart.

• Inferior vena cava

• Pulmonary veins

When this chamber contracts it pushes blood through the tricuspid valve.

• Right atrium

• AV node

Initiates the action potential that causes the heart to beat.

• Pulmonary trunk

• SA Node

When blood leaves this chamber of the heart, it heads to the lungs.

• Inferior vena cava

• Right Ventricle

Stops blood from flowing back into the ventricles each time they contract.

• Aorta

• Semilunar Valves

Responsible for distributing electrical impulses throughout the heart.

• Tricuspid and bicuspid valves

• AV Node

This blood vessel splits in two and sends oxygen-poor blood to the lungs.

• Pulmonary trunk

• SA Node

The chamber in the heart that receives oxygenated blood from the lungs.

• Semilunar valves

• Left Atrium