südamefunktsiooni

Südamefunktsiooni refers to the complex process by which the heart pumps blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients and removing waste products. This vital function is a continuous cycle that involves the coordinated action of the heart's chambers, valves, and electrical system.

The heart has four chambers: two atria (upper chambers) and two ventricles (lower chambers). The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body and pumps it into the right ventricle. The right ventricle then pumps this blood to the lungs, where it releases carbon dioxide and picks up oxygen. Oxygenated blood returns from the lungs to the left atrium, which pumps it into the left ventricle. The left ventricle, the most powerful chamber, then pumps this oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.

Valves within the heart ensure that blood flows in the correct direction, preventing backflow. These include the tricuspid valve between the right atrium and ventricle, the pulmonary valve between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery, the mitral valve between the left atrium and ventricle, and the aortic valve between the left ventricle and aorta.

The heart's rhythmic contractions are controlled by an electrical system. The sinoatrial (SA) node, often called the heart's natural pacemaker, initiates the electrical impulse. This impulse travels through the atria, causing them to contract, and then reaches the atrioventricular (AV) node. From the AV node, the impulse travels down the ventricles, causing them to contract and pump blood. This coordinated electrical activity ensures efficient and continuous blood circulation, which is essential for sustaining life.