The Frog's Heart and Circulatory System
External Structure of the Heart
The frog's heart is located in the pericardial cavity, just behind the breastbone. It has three primary
chambers: two atria and one ventricle.
Sinus Venosus:
The sinus venosus is a thin-walled sac located at the dorsal side of the heart. It receives
deoxygenated blood from the body through the large veins called venae cavae. This chamber acts
as a pacemaker, controlling the rhythm of the heart.
Atria:
Right Atrium: This chamber receives deoxygenated blood from the sinus venosus.
Left Atrium: This chamber receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and skin via the pulmonary
veins.
Ventricle:
The ventricle is a single chamber with a spongy interior, characterized by trabeculae (muscular
ridges). This structure helps partially separate oxygenated and deoxygenated blood during
contraction.
Truncus Arteriosus:
The truncus arteriosus is a major arterial trunk emerging from the ventricle. It branches into three
major arteries: the carotid arches, systemic arches, and pulmocutaneous arches. These arteries
supply blood to different parts of the body.
Internal Structure of the Heart
Atria:
Right Atrium: Receives deoxygenated blood from the sinus venosus. The sinus venosus is a large,
thin-walled sac that collects blood from the venae cavae (superior and inferior). This collected blood
is then funneled into the right atrium.
Left Atrium: Receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins, which transport blood from the
lungs and skin. The left atrium's primary function is to collect this oxygen-rich blood and direct it into
the ventricle.
Ventricle:
The single ventricle in a frogs heart is spongy and contains trabeculae, which are muscular ridges
that help to create channels within the ventricle. These channels guide the flow of blood, ensuring
that oxygenated and deoxygenated blood remains relatively separated despite being in the same
chamber. This partial separation is crucial for the efficient functioning of the heart, allowing
oxygenated blood to be directed towards the systemic circulation while deoxygenated blood is
directed towards the pulmocutaneous circulation.
Valves:
Atrioventricular Valves: These valves are located between the atria and the ventricle, preventing the
backflow of blood from the ventricle to the atria during ventricular contraction.
Semilunar Valves: These are located at the base of the truncus arteriosus and prevent the backflow
of blood into the ventricle after it has been pumped out.
Working of the Heart
Old View: The old view suggested that the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood in the
single ventricle was inefficient, leading to a less effective oxygen transport system.
New View: Current understanding shows that the unique structure of the ventricle and the presence
of trabeculae allow for a functional separation of the blood. The way the ventricle contracts creates a
pressure difference that helps direct oxygenated blood into the systemic circulation and
deoxygenated blood into the pulmocutaneous circulation. This is an efficient mechanism, ensuring
the body receives a sufficient supply of oxygen.
Blood Vessels
Arteries:
Truncus Arteriosus: This major artery branches into three main arches:
Carotid Arches: These supply oxygenated blood to the head and brain. They branch off from the
truncus arteriosus and are crucial for delivering oxygen and nutrients to the brain.
Systemic Arches: These arteries continue from the truncus arteriosus, forming a loop that supplies
blood to the rest of the body. The systemic arches merge dorsally to form the dorsal aorta, which
distributes oxygenated blood to the body's tissues.
Pulmocutaneous Arches: These carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs and skin. The lungs provide
a respiratory surface for gas exchange, and the skin also participates in this process, especially in
aquatic environments where frogs can absorb oxygen directly through their skin.
Capillaries:
These tiny blood vessels form a network that allows for the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste
products between the blood and tissues. The walls of capillaries are only one cell thick, facilitating
efficient diffusion. Capillaries connect the arterial and venous systems, ensuring that oxygenated
blood reaches tissues and deoxygenated blood is collected for return to the heart.
Veins:
Venae Cavae: The superior and inferior venae cavae are major veins that return deoxygenated
blood from the body to the sinus venosus. The superior vena cava drains the head and upper body,
while the inferior vena cava drains the lower body.
Pulmonary Veins: These veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium. The efficient
functioning of pulmonary veins is crucial for ensuring that oxygen-rich blood is supplied to the heart
for systemic distribution.
Summary
The frogs heart and circulatory system are well-adapted to its amphibious lifestyle. The heart's
structural intricacies, such as the trabeculae in the ventricle and the partial separation of oxygenated
and deoxygenated blood, allow for efficient oxygen transport and circulation. The sinus venosus and
truncus arteriosus play pivotal roles in collecting and distributing blood, while the network of arteries,
capillaries, and veins ensures that oxygen and nutrients are delivered to tissues and waste products
are removed.
