Cardiac Anatomy

A complex system of coordinated electrical circuitry within the heart governs cardiac muscle activity. The heart generates its own electrical impulses within its pacemaker cells. The signal then travels through specialized myocytes, which act as electrical wiring, distributing the signal throughout the heart. Once the signal “leaves” the specialized conduction system, it passes to each myocyte through channels called gap junctions (which connect myocytes to each other) and causes them to contract. An electrical impulse is created by the opening and closing of ion channels, allowing the flow of charged particles across the myocardial cell membrane. The flow of charged particles changes the voltage across the membrane and opens up additional voltage-gated channels, allowing the signal to propagate throughout the heart.

The heart is a 4-chambered muscular pump made primarily of cardiac muscle tissue. The heart is divided into 4 chambers: 2 upper chambers for receiving blood from the great vessels, known as the right and left atria, and 2 stronger lower chambers, known as the right and left ventricles, which pump blood throughout the body. Blood flows through the heart in 1 direction, moving from the right side of the heart, through the lungs, and then returning to the left side of the heart, where it is pumped out to the rest of the body. As blood moves through the heart, 4 important valves prevent backflow. The heart muscle itself is supplied by the coronary arteries. The heart also has its own conduction system, triggering its own rhythmic contractions.

The development of the embryonic cardiovascular system begins during the 3rd week of gestation. The process begins with a straight tube, which will eventually differentiate to form a functional heart after several events. Disturbances of any events in the development of the heart, such as cardiac looping, can result in severe congenital disorders. The major clinical presentation of these abnormalities will be cyanosis.