How does the heart keep blood moving in one direction?
Quick Answer
Heart valves open and close with pressure changes to stop blood from flowing backward. The heart’s four chambers and valves work together as a one-way pump.
The Full Story
The heart has four chambers: two atria and two ventricles. Valves between the chambers and at the exits of the heart open when pressure is right and close when pressure reverses, ensuring blood moves forward. The tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral, and aortic valves each have a specific role in the circulation path. This one-way system allows the heart to pump oxygen-poor blood to the lungs and oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. Valve problems can seriously affect circulation because direction matters so much.
Key Facts
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"How the heart acts like a perfect one-way pump"