Sheep Heart Dissection Questions

1) The purpose of the pericardium is to cover and protect the heart and retain its structure. It is constructed of a superficial fibrous layer and a deep serous layer that creates a thin membrane.

2) The function of veins and arteries are different, veins carry oxygenated blood, and arteries deoxygenated blood. They are also structurally different: the walls of veins are thinner than those of arteries. Arteries have thick elastic walls that expand when the heart contracts; they cause vasodilation and vasoconstriction.

3) The auricles on either sides of the heart store blood allowing more volume inside the chambers.

4) The atria are superior to the ventricles. The ventricles are bigger chambers, specifically on the right side because it transports blood throughout the body.

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7) Anchroing of the heart valves by the chordate tendinae and papillary muscle is important because it keeps valves tight to prevent blood back flow. If they were not anchored well, the valves would not shut properly.

8) The left atrioventricular valve is held together by string like chordinae tendineae with small tissues at the ends anchoring the valve to the walls. You can see the two valve indents.

9) Semi-lunar valves separate the ventricles from the openings of the aorta.

10) a. If valve disease occurs on the right side of the heart, swelling can result because the right side of the heart transports blood throughout the body.
      b. If the disease occured on the left side of the heart, heart attack can occur because the left side of the heart pumps blood through the heart.

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 Here you can see the chordae tendinae and papillary muscles that anchor the bicuspid valve.

12) The left side of the heart has smaller chambers than the right because its main function is to transport blood through the heart and needs less volume to do so. It transports oxygenated blood and the right pumps deoxygenated.

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