Overview
This lecture explains an easy way to memorize the sequence of blood flow through the heart using a simple V-A mnemonic.
Blood Flow Sequence
- Blood enters the heart from the superior vena cava (V).
- Blood moves into the right atrium (A).
- Blood flows into the right ventricle (V).
- Blood is pumped through the pulmonary artery (A) to the lungs.
- Oxygenated blood returns via the pulmonary veins (V) to the left atrium.
- Blood moves into the left ventricle (V).
- Blood exits the heart through the aorta (A) to the rest of the body.
Memorization Trick: Vital Area (V-A)
- "Vital Area" or "V-A" helps track if the vessel/part is a vein (V) or an artery/atrium/aorta (A) in the sequence.
- The number eight symbolizes the figure-eight pattern of blood circulation through the heart and lungs.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Superior vena cava — major vein bringing deoxygenated blood from the body to the right atrium.
- Right atrium — upper right chamber receiving deoxygenated blood.
- Right ventricle — lower right chamber pumping blood to the lungs.
- Pulmonary artery — carries deoxygenated blood from heart to lungs.
- Pulmonary veins — return oxygenated blood from lungs to heart.
- Left atrium — upper left chamber receiving oxygenated blood.
- Left ventricle — lower left chamber pumping blood to the body.
- Aorta — main artery carrying oxygenated blood to the systemic circulation.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice reciting the V-A blood flow sequence from memory.