The lap: body → right atrium → tricuspid → right ventricle → pulmonic valve → LUNGS → left atrium → mitral valve → left ventricle → aortic valve → body.
Key points
- The lap: body → right atrium → tricuspid → right ventricle → pulmonic valve → LUNGS → left atrium → mitral valve → left ventricle → aortic valve → body.
- The RIGHT side handles oxygen-poor blood and serves the PULMONARY circuit (heart → lungs).
- The LEFT side handles oxygen-rich blood and serves the SYSTEMIC circuit (heart → whole body).
- The pulmonary ARTERY carries oxygen-poor blood and the pulmonary VEINS carry oxygen-rich blood — the only exceptions to the usual artery/vein rule.
- The left ventricle is the thickest chamber because the systemic circuit has the highest resistance, not because it holds more blood.
Study first
- Trace a drop of blood from a stubbed toe and back: toe → vein → vena cava → RA → RV → pulmonary artery → lungs → pulmonary veins → LA → LV → aorta → artery → toe.
- Ask which valve a drop crosses immediately after the right atrium: the tricuspid, because valves sit between each chamber and what follows it.
Commonly tested
- Say the lap out loud until it is automatic. Recitation beats re-reading for a sequence.
- Draw the loop from memory on blank paper and label the four valves. If you can draw it, you can answer any variation of the question.
Watch out for
- Saying 'arteries always carry oxygenated blood' — the pulmonary artery breaks that rule every time.
- Reversing tricuspid and mitral. The tricuspid is on the RIGHT; think 'tri before bi, right before left'.
- Assuming the thicker left ventricle holds more blood; both ventricles eject the same volume per beat.
Circulation — the Full Circuit: FAQs
What should I focus on first when studying Circulation — the Full Circuit?
Trace a drop of blood from a stubbed toe and back: toe → vein → vena cava → RA → RV → pulmonary artery → lungs → pulmonary veins → LA → LV → aorta → artery → toe. Ask which valve a drop crosses immediately after the right atrium: the tricuspid, because valves sit between each chamber and what follows it.
What is most often missed on Circulation — the Full Circuit?
Saying 'arteries always carry oxygenated blood' — the pulmonary artery breaks that rule every time. Reversing tricuspid and mitral. The tricuspid is on the RIGHT; think 'tri before bi, right before left'. Assuming the thicker left ventricle holds more blood; both ventricles eject the same volume per beat.
What do I need to know about Circulation — the Full Circuit for the HESI A2?
The lap: body → right atrium → tricuspid → right ventricle → pulmonic valve → LUNGS → left atrium → mitral valve → left ventricle → aortic valve → body. The RIGHT side handles oxygen-poor blood and serves the PULMONARY circuit (heart → lungs). The LEFT side handles oxygen-rich blood and serves the SYSTEMIC circuit (heart → whole body). The pulmonary ARTERY carries oxygen-poor blood and the pulmonary VEINS carry oxygen-rich blood — the only exceptions to the usual artery/vein rule.
What are the most commonly tested points on Circulation — the Full Circuit?
Say the lap out loud until it is automatic. Recitation beats re-reading for a sequence. Draw the loop from memory on blank paper and label the four valves. If you can draw it, you can answer any variation of the question.
