Physical Therapist Assistant PTA: Cardiovascular/Circulatory System

The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, blood vessels, and the approximately 5 liters of blood that the blood vessels transport. Responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and cellular waste products throughout the body, the cardiovascular system is powered by the body’s hardest-working organ — the heart, which is only about the size of a closed fist. Even at rest, the average heart easily pumps over 5 liters of blood throughout the body every minute.

Tutorials and quizzes on the anatomy and physiology of the circulatory system or cardiovascular system, using interactive animations and diagrams. Looking for quizzes? Click here. Looking for advanced quizzes?

Covers the Coronary Arteries, Heart Valve Movement, location, size & shape, the chambers & functions, Major Blood Vessels, Coronary Veins, Heart Wall Anatomy, paricardium.

The heart is a muscular pumping organ located medial to the lungs along the body’s midline in the thoracic region. The bottom tip of the heart, known as its apex, is turned to the left, so that about 2/3 of the heart is located on the body’s left side with the other 1/3 on right. The top of the heart, known as the heart’s base, connects to the great blood vessels of the body: the aorta, vena cava, pulmonary trunk, and pulmonary veins.

Rotate the 3D model to see how the heart's valves control blood flow between heart chambers and blood flow out of the heart.