The Four-Chambered Wonder!

• Our heart? It's basically a four-chambered double-pump.
• Left and right side? They're like synchronized swimmers – working at the same time!

Breakdown

• Atrium: It's like the receptionist for blood! Blood enters here from veins.
• Ventricle: This is the powerhouse. It pumps blood out through arteries, taking it on a journey away from the heart.

Doorkeepers - The Valves

• They open and close by force, like bouncers at a club, ensuring everything flows in ONE direction.
• They make sure blood gets the push it needs to move from atrium → ventricle → artery.

Did You Know?

• Unlike your arm muscles needing your command to flex (💪), the heart has its own rhythm. No nerve stimulation required! This self-starter contraction? It's called a myogenic contraction.

Heart's In-House DJ - The Pacemaker (SAN)

• Found in the right atrium.
• It sets the rhythm for heart contractions.
• But, its rhythm isn't always the same. External factors, like adrenaline or even our own nervous system, can adjust its rate.

Real-World Example: Imagine being at a party. When a fast song comes on (equivalent to exercising), the DJ (our pacemaker) turns up the beats per minute. This is similar to our heart rate increasing when we exercise!