The human heart is a complex organ, whose primary function is to pump blood through the circulatory system to all parts of the body. The circulated blood helps the body to get rid of waste material such as carbon dioxide. It also supplies oxygen and other necessary nutrients to all the body cells. The heart is shaped like an upside down pear. It is located slightly below the rib cage. It is nestled between the lungs and more inclined towards the left side of the sternum or breastbone. Technically it is right at the center of the chest. It is bigger than the average sized fist. It weighs between 230 and 380 grams.
The heart is critical for survival to the human body. It carries deoxygenated blood from the right atrium and delivers oxygenated blood to the left atrium. The blood is then distributed to the entire body through the arteries, veins and capillaries. Deoxygenated blood enters the heart from the upper body through the superior vena cava. Other blood from the lower body enters through the inferior vena cava. The blood is then purified of carbon dioxide and it is reintroduced to the body when it is rich in oxygen. The ventricles distribute the oxygenated blood to the arteries which is then distributed to the entire body through the veins and capillaries. This process is replicated several times per minute (Gálfiová et al., 2017).
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Dysfunction of the heart is fatal to the heart. Heart failure and blockage of conduits leads to heart disease or cardiac arrest. If it is left untreated it can lead to death. The heart is partitioned into four chambers. The upper chambers are named the atria while the lower chambers are the ventricles. A disturbance in the flow of the blood can also lead to death of the cells and a ceasure in the delivery of nutrients. Contractions or heart beats may also go wrong when the electrical systems malfunction. This may be fatal if the pacemakers are not rectified (Lewis, 2015).
The heart is composed of the different tissue types in varying components. The cardiac muscle which acts as a pump is made up of connective tissues. These cardiac muscles are specially structured to keep working continously throughout the life of a human being. The heart is also anchored on connective tissues that surround the heart and nestle it at the center of the chest cavity. The pericardium of the heart which is a covering that protects the heart is also made of connective tissues. Squamous epithelial tissues make up the single layered lining of the heart. The heart also contains some nervous tissue in the vagus and sympathetic trunk. The epicardium is made up of a combination of connective tissues and adipose tissue (Bergmann et al., 2015).
The different cell types that make up the body types are important in that they support each other's function. For example, the muscle cells that make up muscle tissue are important in that they facilitate movement. The cardiac muscle enables the intercalated discs to perform heart contractions and synchronization of the heart beat. Adipose tissue on the other hand supports the function of the hormones by regulating the services of the endocrine. Epithelial cells are supported by connective tissues while they serve as coverings or protective barriers. Nerve cells coordinate all the functions of the other cells and tissue by sending signals to transmit messages and conduct information. In conclusion, if organs were only composed of one type of cell then they would be unable to function properly in conjuction with the rest of the body.
References
Bergmann, O., Zdunek, S., Felker, A., Salehpour, M., Alkass, K., Bernard, S., & Malm, T. (2015). Dynamics of cell generation and turnover in the human heart. Cell , 161 (7), 1566-1575.
Gálfiová, P., Polák, Š., Mikušová, R., Gažová, A., Kosnáč, D., Barczi, T., & Varga, I. (2017). The three-dimensional fine structure of the human heart: a scanning electron microscopic atlas for research and education. Biologia, 72 (12), 1521-1528.
Lewis, T. (2015). Human Heart: Anatomy, Function " Facts. LiveScience. TechMedia Network , 7 .
