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heart
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Images & Videos
Medical illustration of the human thoracic cavity showing the heart in situ, surrounded by the lungs, major blood vessels, thymus gland, trachea, pleura, and diaphragm, with each anatomical structure clearly labeled. Illustration of a human heart in cross section, showing labeled chambers, valves, and major blood vessels including the aorta, pulmonary trunk, vena cavae, atria, and ventricles.
The human heart and cardiovascular system explained
Diagram of the human heart showing the electrical conduction system, with labeled pathways from the sinoatrial node to the atrioventricular node, bundle of His, and bundle branches, along with heart chambers and major vessels. Illustration of a human heart cross-section showing four chambers-left and right atria and ventricles-with labeled major blood vessels. An inset highlights cardiac muscle tissue, showing myocytes and intercalated disks.
Hear an exposed human heart beating
Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) can be used to image blood flow to the heart (left) in order to monitor conditions such as ischemia (decreased blood flow). When information gathered via SPECT is combined with imaging information from computed tomography (CT), a fusion image (centre and right) can be obtained. reptilian heart types Illustration of a human heart with a magnified callout showing the elongated, striated structure of cardiac muscle cells. Diagram showing a heart-lung machine connected to the human heart, with labeled tubes carrying deoxygenated blood from the body to the machine for oxygenation and then returning oxygenated blood to the body.
At a Glance
default image
heart summary
Quizzes
Male muscle, man flexing arm, bicep curl.
Facts You Should Know: The Human Body Quiz
3d illustration human heart. Adult Anatomy Aorta Black Blood Vessel Cardiovascular System Coronary Artery Coronary Sinus Front View Glowing Human Artery Human Heart Human Internal Organ Medical X-ray Myocardium
Human Organs
Superficial arteries and veins of face and scalp, cardiovascular system, human anatomy, (Netter replacement project - SSC)
The Human Body
Related Questions

heart: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Modified link of Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - Histology, Heart. Oct 25, 2026
Updated information on heart sounds. Aug 06, 2026
Add new Web site: TeachMe Anatomy - The Heart. Apr 09, 2026
Add new Web site: The University of Hawaiʻi Pressbooks - Anatomy and Physiology - Heart Anatomy. Jan 17, 2026
Add new Web site: CellPress - Cell - The Translational Landscape of the Human Heart. Dec 06, 2025
Add new Web site: Cleveland Clinic - Heart. Oct 21, 2025
Add new Web site: Medscape - Heart Anatomy. Aug 19, 2025
Added a quiz. Jul 13, 2025
Add new Web site: Khan Academy - Circulatory system and the heart. Jun 16, 2025
Questions and answers added. Mar 18, 2025
Add new Web site: WebMD - Heart Anatomy, Function, and Blood Circulation. Sep 09, 2024
Media added. Mar 12, 2024
Media added. Feb 26, 2024
Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - Histology, Heart. Apr 03, 2023
Add new Web site: OpenStax - Anatomy and Physiology 2e - The Cardiovascular System: The Heart - Introduction. Nov 30, 2022
Corrected display issue. May 04, 2021
Added information on coronary heart disease. Feb 13, 2020
Rearranged media. Nov 14, 2019
Corrected display issue. Oct 12, 2018
Add new Web site: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - Physical Activity and Your Heart - What Is Physical Activity? Feb 05, 2018
Add new Web site: Easy Science for Kids - Human Heart Diagram Facts for Kids Video. Jan 10, 2017
Add new Web site: Idaho Public Television - The Heart: Facts. Jan 10, 2017
Add new Web site: National Geographic - The Truth About Your Heart. Jan 10, 2017
Add new Web site: Kidzworld - The Ins and Outs of the Heart. Jan 10, 2017
Add new Web site: CoolKidFacts.com - The Heart. Jan 10, 2017
Add new Web site: Buzzle.com - Human Heart. Mar 02, 2014
Add new Web site: British Broadcasting Corporation - Heart. Apr 10, 2013
Add new Web site: Buzzle.com - Human Heart. Apr 10, 2013
Add new Web site: Science Kids - Fun Science and Technology for Kids - Heart. Mar 16, 2012
Added diagram of mammalian heart. May 25, 2011
Added new Web site: National Geographic - Science - Heart. Apr 16, 2009
New illustrations added. Jan 14, 2009
Added new Web site: Healthy Heart - The electrical activity of the heart. Oct 16, 2008
Added new Web site: How Stuff Works - Healthguide - Myocardial Biopsy. Sep 23, 2008
Added new Web site: How Stuff Works - Healthguide - Heart MRI. Sep 19, 2008
Added new Web site: How Stuff Works - Healthguide - Coronary Angiography. Sep 18, 2008
Added new Web site: How Stuff Works - Health - How Your Heart Works. Jul 31, 2008
Added new Web site: The Nemours Foundation - For Teens - Heart and Circulatory System. May 11, 2008
Added new Web site: Cardiology, Presented and Explained by Robert Matthews, MD. Oct 23, 2006
Added new Web site: PBS Online - Electric Heart. Sep 26, 2006
Added new Web site: The Franklin Institute Online - The Heart: An Online Exploration. Sep 05, 2006
Added new Web site: KidsHealth.org - All About the Heart. Jun 28, 2006
Added new Web site: The Franklin Institute Online - The Heart: An Online Exploration. May 31, 2006
Article revised. Mar 28, 2003
Article revised. May 27, 1999
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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