Introduction
The heart is arguably the most important organ in human physiology. Its structure and functionality are amazing, to say the least. Through many years of study, scholars and researchers have relentlessly sought out to understand these two aspects of the human heart. As such, this paper shall set out to explore the main functions of the heart about an article published in the magazine “USA today”, titled “How the heart works – descriptions of the various parts of the heart, their functions, and how they work together – Brief Article”.
Literature review
According to the article, the heart is described as an energetic muscular organ located between the lungs that continuously pumps blood throughout the body via the circulatory system. The heart receives the deoxygenated blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs where the waste (Co2) is removed and gets oxygenated. It is then passed back to the heart where it is discharged to the body yet again.
The human heart is made up of four chambers and several valves which regulate and monitor blood flow within the body. The chambers include; the right atria, right ventricle, left atria and left ventricle. They are strategically located and serve as the pumps through which the blood flows into and out of the heart. Additionally, they are supported by four valves that control the inflow and outflow of the blood towards specific directions by opening and closing systematically. These valves have a set of leaflets that are forced open by the pressure exerted by the blood in motion and are designed specifically to allow a single direction of blood flow.
The heart plays a pivotal role in the circulatory system. Without it, other organs would fail due to a lack of oxygen and other nutrients that are transported throughout the body by the blood. Therefore, the full functionality of the heart is indeed crucial to our survival and existence. The article states that the deoxygenated blood from the veins is received into the heart by the right atrium. This blood is often dark red due to the high amounts of Co2 accumulated from the various tissues and cells within the body. Soon after the atrium fills up, an electrical signal is released causing the heat to beat. In this process, the atria contracts, pushing the blood down to the right ventricle. When this chamber contracts, the venous blood is pumped via the pulmonary valve into the pulmonary artery which directs it into the lungs for the purification process.
In the lungs, the venous blood is cleansed of its Co2 and at the same time gets oxygenated. After this process, it leaves the lungs and flows into the left atrium. At this stage, it is bright red due to a lack of Co2 and a high presence of oxygen. The contraction of the atria forces the blood down to the left ventricle through the mitral valve after which it is pumped to the aorta. The aorta is responsible for the distribution of the blood to the various body tissues.
The article further asserts that for the heart to function accordingly, these four chambers must coordinate efficiently. The contraction of these chambers is triggered by an electrical signal generated by specialized cells within the right atrium known as the sinoatrial node (SA). This is the natural pacemaker that causes the heart to beat through a series of evenly and timely spaced electrical discharges. However, emotional and hormonal factors may lead to an increase of these discharges, therefore, leading to a faster or slower heartbeat.
The electrical impulses move gradually from the right atria through the other chambers and in the process cause the systematic contraction and relaxation of the heart which allows the blood flow. Without such a mechanism, there may arise various complications which may have devastating effects on our health and lives.
Conclusion
This article has provided a very informative and elaborate discussion on the functions of the heart. Conclusively, it is clear that the heart is a very important part of our bodies and functionality, from the article review, the various parts have been highlighted and their functions and contributions discussed. It is therefore crucial that each person take ample precautionary measures to ensure that their heart is at maximum health at all times in order o avoid the dangers that may befall them due to health negligence.
Works cited
USA Today. “How the heart works – descriptions of the various parts of the heart, their functions, and how they work together – Brief Article”. Society for the Advancement of Education, 1997. Web.