Blood
Flow through the Heart
Blood from the body is carried into the heart’s right
atrium by blood vessels called the vena cava.
- Inferior vena cava
brings blood from the legs and the lower part of the body.
- Superior vena cava brings
blood from the head, neck, and arms.
When the right atrium fills with blood,
it contracts, sending blood to the right ventricle.
When the right ventricle fills with blood,
it contracts, sending blood to the lungs
through blood vessels called the pulmonary arteries.
In the lungs, blood picks up oxygen, and then returns to
the heart’s left atrium through blood
vessels called the pulmonary veins.
When the left atrium contracts, it sends
blood to the left ventricle.
From the left ventricle, blood is pumped
out the aorta and through the body.
Back
to Top |