mention the external features you observed in the heart
Write the names of structures that protect the heart
Answers
Answer:
heart is a muscular organ in most animals, which pumps blood through the blood vessels of the circulatory system.[1] Blood provides the body with oxygen and nutrients, as well as assisting in the removal of metabolic wastes.[2] In humans, the heart is located between the lungs, in the middle compartment of the chest.[3]
External features of heart and its protective layers
Explanation:
The human heart is a four chambered muscular organ which is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the different parts of the body. IT helps in providing oxygen to the various body tissues and removal of carbon dioxide and metabolites from them.The two upper chambers are called atria and the lower chambers are known as ventricles.
The human heart is placed in the chest cavity between the lungs and is protected by the sternum in the front and the vertebral column in the back.
External features of the heart-
- The heavily muscular part of the heart is inclined towards the left part of the chest
- The shape is slightly conical.
- It is approximately the size of a closed human fist and weighs around 250-350 g in adults.
- Several large blood vessels like aorta, pulmonary vein and artery and the vena cava emerge from the top of the heart.
- It is located on the middle mediastrum between T5 and T8 thoracic vertebrae.
- The interventicular septum that divides the chambers is visible on the surface as anterior and posterior longitudinal sulces.
Structures that protect the heart-
- The outermost protective layer of the heart is called the pericardium. it has a tough outer surface known as the fibrous membrane. the layer below is the serous membrane which produces pericardial fluid to prevent friction.
- The serous membrane is attached to the fibrous membrane with the help of the parietal pericardium and the membrane connecting the serous membrane to the heart surface is known as visceral pericardium.
These layers of the pericardium reduce friction of the heart with the other organs and the rib cage and also protect it from external shock and infection.
- The cage like structure of the ribs with the anterior sternum and posterior vertebral column provide extra protection to the heart.