The seven steps of blood flow through the heart are:
- Blood enters the right atrium from the vena cava: The vena cava carries deoxygenated blood from the body back to the heart.
- Blood flows through the tricuspid valve to the right ventricle: The tricuspid valve opens to allow blood to pass from the right atrium into the right ventricle.
- Blood is pumped through the pulmonary valve to the pulmonary artery: The right ventricle contracts, pushing blood through the pulmonary valve into the pulmonary artery.
- Blood travels to the lungs: The pulmonary artery carries blood to the lungs, where it picks up oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.
- Blood returns to the heart via the pulmonary veins: Oxygenated blood returns to the heart from the lungs through the pulmonary veins.
- Blood enters the left atrium: Oxygenated blood flows from the pulmonary veins into the left atrium.
- Blood flows through the mitral valve to the left ventricle: The mitral valve opens, allowing blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle.
This process repeats continuously, ensuring the constant flow of oxygenated blood throughout the body.
