A&P Slight Befuddlement

CityEMT212

CityEMT212

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Hello EMS family,

I'm having a bit of a burdensome time grasping a complete understanding of the heart in my EMT class; (semi-thankfully, I'm not alone in this feeling in my class). Atrium, vena cavae, directional blood flow, etc... Is there any advice on memorization or comprehension techniques that you all can offer?

~ LV
 
CityEMT212 said:
Hello EMS family,

I'm having a bit of a burdensome time grasping a complete understanding of the heart in my EMT class; (semi-thankfully, I'm not alone in this feeling in my class). Atrium, vena cavae, directional blood flow, etc... Is there any advice on memorization or comprehension techniques that you all can offer?
Click to expand...

Even though the heart is a single organ, functionally the sides of the heart are pretty distinct, so it helps a lot to visualize them as two separate pumps: the right heart and the left heart.

Right heart:
- the vena cava delivers de-oxygenated blood to the right atrium
- the right atrium pumps blood through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle
- the right ventricle pumps blood through the pulmonic valve into the pulmonary artery, which goes to the lungs

Left heart:
- the left atrium receives freshly oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary vein
- the left atrium pumps blood through the mitral valve into the left ventricle
- the left ventricle pumps blood through the aortic valve into the aorta, which delivers blood to the body.

Does it help at all to visualize them separately like that?
 
For me, I just kept drawing and labeling it over and over. Even 8 years after EMT school, I still remember how to do it, lol.

fjgx89N.png
 
Thanks everyone, I'll review all of the things you all shared :)
 
Aprz said:
For me, I just kept drawing and labeling it over and over. Even 8 years after EMT school, I still remember how to do it, lol.

fjgx89N.png
Click to expand...


APRZ,

Thanks for the drawing, I'm a visual learner. I appreciate it.
 
Remi said:
Even though the heart is a single organ, functionally the sides of the heart are pretty distinct, so it helps a lot to visualize them as two separate pumps: the right heart and the left heart.

Right heart:
- the vena cava delivers de-oxygenated blood to the right atrium
- the right atrium pumps blood through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle
- the right ventricle pumps blood through the pulmonic valve into the pulmonary artery, which goes to the lungs

Left heart:
- the left atrium receives freshly oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary vein
- the left atrium pumps blood through the mitral valve into the left ventricle
- the left ventricle pumps blood through the aortic valve into the aorta, which delivers blood to the body.

Does it help at all to visualize them separately like that?
Click to expand...

Remi,

I appreciate the detailed break down. It makes sense when listed this way. Thanks.
 
always try before you buy, so tricupid valve is before bicuspid valve.

Also remember the ventricle have to push blood to the entire body, and out to the lungs, which is why they are so much thicker than the atrium.
 
Remi,

Thanks for that - I would not have made that distinction on my own... I'll use that for my study group this weekend!
 
CityEMT212 said:
Remi,

Thanks for that - I would not have made that distinction on my own... I'll use that for my study group this weekend!
Click to expand...

But don't be confused by the fact that the aortic valve is a "tricuspid" (tri-leaflet) valve too. We just name it by it's position and not by it's structure. Calling a valve the "bicuspid" valve risks confusing the pulmonic and mitral valves.
 
CityEMT212 said:
Hello EMS family,

I'm having a bit of a burdensome time grasping a complete understanding of the heart in my EMT class; (semi-thankfully, I'm not alone in this feeling in my class). Atrium, vena cavae, directional blood flow, etc... Is there any advice on memorization or comprehension techniques that you all can offer?

~ LV
Click to expand...
I like teaching it to new EMT's in the following manner. Break down the flow into the 5 basic steps.
1. Blood goes to the Right Atrium (RA)
2. RA to RV via the Tricuspid Valve (you ride a tricycle before you get to ride a bicycle - not applicable to Chuck Norris)
3. RV to lungs and back to LA
4. LA to LV via Bicuspid valve
5. LV to aorta via the aortic valve

This is the most basic 5 steps of cardiac blood flow. Once you feel comfortable with these 5 steps start adding to each step with details; for example, Step 1. Oxygen-poor blood goes to the Right Atrium (RA) via the superior and inferior vena cava.

I find that most students learn better this way, adding little by little as they get more comfortable with the basics. Hope this helps.
 
DrParasite said:
always try before you buy, so tricupid valve is before bicuspid valve.

Also remember the ventricle have to push blood to the entire body, and out to the lungs, which is why they are so much thicker than the atrium.
Click to expand...
Dr., that makes perfect sense of course. Thanks.
 
Hendrik said:
I like teaching it to new EMT's in the following manner. Break down the flow into the 5 basic steps.
1. Blood goes to the Right Atrium (RA)
2. RA to RV via the Tricuspid Valve (you ride a tricycle before you get to ride a bicycle - not applicable to Chuck Norris)
3. RV to lungs and back to LA
4. LA to LV via Bicuspid valve
5. LV to aorta via the aortic valve

This is the most basic 5 steps of cardiac blood flow. Once you feel comfortable with these 5 steps start adding to each step with details; for example, Step 1. Oxygen-poor blood goes to the Right Atrium (RA) via the superior and inferior vena cava.

I find that most students learn better this way, adding little by little as they get more comfortable with the basics. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Hi Hendrik.

For number three it's via the pulmonary artery...?
 
CityEMT212 said:
Hi Hendrik.

For number three it's via the pulmonary artery...?
Click to expand...
Yes, blood will flow from the RA via the pulmonary valve into the pulmonary artery - pulmonary vein - LA.
Just keep repeating the flow and it will commit to long-term memory. Good luck
 
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