Förmaks

Förmaks, also known as "atrium" in English, refers to one of the four chambers of the heart responsible for receiving blood coming into the heart. The term is most commonly used in the context of the human heart, which consists of two atria (singular: atrium) and two ventricles.

The heart’s atria are located above the ventricles and serve as receiving chambers. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body via the superior and inferior vena cavae and pumps it into the right ventricle, which then sends it to the lungs for oxygenation. The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins and transfers it to the left ventricle, from where it is pumped out to the rest of the body through the aorta.

Anatomically, the right atrium features the sinoatrial (SA) node, the natural pacemaker of the heart, which initiates electrical impulses that regulate heart rhythm. The left atrium predominantly acts as a receiving chamber, with less direct involvement in electrical conduction.

Conditions related to the atria include atrial fibrillation, a common arrhythmia characterized by irregular and often rapid heartbeat, which increases the risk of stroke and other cardiac complications. Structural abnormalities, atrial septal defects, or atrial hypertrophy can also affect atrial function.

In summary, the förmaks or atrium plays a crucial role in the cardiac cycle by receiving blood from the body and lungs and facilitating its movement into the ventricles for systemic circulation. Its proper function is essential for maintaining effective blood flow and overall cardiovascular health.