Structure of the Cardiovascular System - AQA GCSE Physical Education

Overview

• The cardiovascular system consists of:
  • The heart
  • Blood vessels
  • Blood

Heart Anatomy

• Size & Location: Size of a clenched fist, located in the middle of the chest, slightly towards the left.
• Division:
  • Right-hand side: Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
  • Left-hand side: Pumps oxygenated blood around the body.

Chambers of the Heart

• Atria (plural of Atrium): Collect blood entering the heart.
• Ventricles: Pump blood out of the heart.
• Septum: Separates the right and left sides of the heart.

Valves

• Tricuspid Valve: Between the right atrium and ventricle, opens due to pressure.
• Bicuspid Valve: Between the left atrium and ventricle, opens due to pressure.
• Semilunar Valves: Prevent backflow of blood, located where the aorta leaves the left ventricle and the pulmonary artery leaves the right ventricle.

Blood Vessels

• Aorta: Largest artery, carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body.
• Vena Cava: Largest vein, carries deoxygenated blood from the body to the heart.
• Pulmonary Artery: Carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.
• Pulmonary Vein: Returns oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.

General Facts

• Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, except the pulmonary artery.
• The aorta is the main artery.
• The vena cava is the main vein.

Additional Resources

• Muscular System - AQA
• Skeletal System - AQA
• Respiratory System - AQA
• Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise - AQA
• Immediate, Short, and Long Term Effects of Exercise - AQA
• Movement Analysis in Sport - AQA

For more detailed study, refer to the additional resources linked above or visit BBC Bitesize for further content on the cardiovascular system and related topics.