Describe the path of blood flow through heart?

The path of blood flow through the heart is a continuous loop that begins and ends in the heart's four chambers: the right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle. Here's a step-by-step description of the path of blood flow through the heart:

1. Superior and inferior vena cava: Deoxygenated blood from the body returns to the heart via two large veins called the superior vena cava (which collects blood from the upper body) and the inferior vena cava (which collects blood from the lower body).

2. Right atrium: The deoxygenated blood from the vena cavae flows into the right atrium, which is the first chamber the blood enters when it returns to the heart.

3. Tricuspid valve: From the right atrium, the blood flows through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle. The tricuspid valve prevents the backflow of blood into the right atrium when the right ventricle contracts.

4. Right ventricle: The right ventricle contracts, pumping the deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary arteries. The pulmonary arteries carry the blood to the lungs, where it will pick up oxygen and release carbon dioxide.

5. Pulmonary arteries: The pulmonary arteries carry the deoxygenated blood to the lungs. In the lungs, the blood releases carbon dioxide and picks up oxygen, becoming oxygenated.

6. Pulmonary veins: The oxygenated blood returns to the heart via four pulmonary veins, which empty into the left atrium.

7. Left atrium: The oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins enters the left atrium.

8. Mitral valve (bicuspid valve): From the left atrium, the blood passes through the mitral valve (also known as the bicuspid valve) into the left ventricle. The mitral valve prevents the backflow of blood into the left atrium when the left ventricle contracts.

9. Left ventricle: The left ventricle contracts, pumping the oxygenated blood into the aorta. The aorta is the main artery that carries oxygenated blood to all tissues and organs in the body.

10. Aortic valve: The blood flows through the aortic valve into the aorta. The aortic valve prevents the backflow of blood into the left ventricle when the heart relaxes.

This completes one full cycle of blood flow through the heart. The right side of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs, while the left side of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.