Sheep Heart Dissection Lab

Dissection video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1KRKKvoVIM&app=desktop
1. The purpose of the pericardium is to hold and protect the heart. It secretes a fluid that lubricates the heart and reduces friction.
2. Arteries appear larger and thicker in comparison to veins because they need to withstand the pressure to push blood out to the body. The veins carry blood from the tissue to the heart.
3. The auricle is on the anterior surface of each atrium and increases the capacity slightly so that the atrium can hold more blood.
4. The main difference between the atria and ventricles is that the atria is way smaller and skinnier. The ventricles need to push blood out of the heart to the body and lungs so they were bigger.
5.
a) The coronary sinus was located on the posterior side of the heart and was hidden behind a layer of fat.
b) The inferior vena cava was not visible on our heart because it was cut away. But, it should have been on the right side of the inferior part of the heart.
c) The tricuspid valve was located on the right side of the heart and between the right atrium and ventricle. It has three flaps that open and close to push blood through. It is anchored down by chordae tendinae which connect to papillary muscles.

6.  Drawing of tricuspid valve

7. The anchoring of the heart valves by the chordae tendinae and papillary muscle is important because it prevents the valves from falling back into the atria when closed and keeps them in place. 

8. The bicuspid valve is similar to the tricuspid valve except the bicuspid valve has two flaps while the other has three. 

9. The semi-lunar valves prevent blood from re-entering the ventricles. The pulmonary valve is located pulmonary artery and the aortic in the aorta. 

10. 

a) The right side of the heart is responsible for receiving deoxygenated blood from the body and pumping it to the lungs. If the valve on the right side is faulty, blood can get backed up and could cause swelling to occur in the feet and ankles.

b) The left side of the heart is responsible for receiving oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumping it to the rest of the body. If the valve on the left side is faulty, it could cause blood to flow back to the lungs and/or effect the rest of the body as it can't properly send oxygenated blood to the body. 

11. When we cut into the aorta, we found the aortic semilunar valve in it. The entrance to the right and left coronary arteries came from the anterior wall and lead to the outside of the heart. We were able to locate chordae tendinae and papillary muscle directly beneath each valve. They were pretty obvious and we could tug at the chordae tendinae with a probe. The chordae tendinae connects the valve to the muscle. 

12.The right side of the heart deals with the deoxygenated blood that comes from the body and sends it to the lungs to pick up oxygen. The left side deals with the oxygenated blood from the lungs and sends it to the rest of the body. The left side of the heart is bigger because it needs to push blood to the rest of the body. 

13.

Cardiac Cycle

Unit 3 Reflection

This whole unit was about the anatomy and physiology of the heart, the circulatory system, blood vessels, blood, cardiovascular disease, and the respiratory system. The cardiovascular system is a closed system and contains a network of fluid-filled tubes where material move in and out of cells and the environment. Its' main function is to transport material needed by cells and remove waste materials from cells. The main components are the heart, arteries, veins and blood. Cardiovascular health relates to the health of the heart and vessels. Heart disease and strokes are often times caused by atherosclerosis. This is when plaque or a blood clot blocks the blood vessel and leads to hypertension

Atherosclerosis in artery 

To promote my cardiovascular health, I can exercise on a regular basis, maintain a healthy weight and diet by cutting out excess sugars and polyunsaturated fats and control blood pressure and cholesterol. Something I wonder about is how come so many Americans still suffer from heart diseases even though there are so many healthy habits they can pick up to prevent these

diseases from happening.

As with the learning process this unit, it has been rather different. Learning the heart's anatomy and physiology is much easier than cardiovascular diseases. I have realized that visually learning the heart and how blood flows through it is easier. Drawing diagrams or just connecting images with words is an easier way to grasp a concept. Also, the heart dissection really helped me realize how the blood flow of the heart worked and it was easier to locate the different parts of the heart unlike just looking at an image online. The cardiovascular diseases are rather similar and more confusing and just requires more memorization. Another thing I learned about working in a collaborative setting is that you have to compromise everything to work well within a group. Even if half of the group may not benefit as much, one has to pull through and benefit the group as a whole. I am still slightly confused on how the nodal system works and the cardiac cycle.

Diagram of blood flowing through the heart

Looking back at my unit 2 goals, I have definitely cut my added sugar intake every day and am eating more natural sugars instead. Also, I have tried to exercise more each week although it has been rather difficult with college applications deadlines approaching soon. Another goal I have for the rest of this semester is to improve my time management. This way I won't be as stressed out and can sleep at a timely matter every night, unlike the past few weeks. From this class, I definitely have to improve on my assessments by reviewing and understanding each concept. This will help me in the future when I take anatomy & physiology in college and will have basic knowledge that will help me.