Final answer:
The regions of the heart inspected include its internal and external anatomy. The heart is centrally located in the thoracic cavity, with its external anatomy consisting of its great vessels and apex, and its internal anatomy including chambers and valves for blood circulation. The heart's muscle layers and functional design are integral to its role as a pump.
Step-by-step explanation:
When inspecting the regions of the heart, you are looking at its internal and external anatomy, its position, and its role in circulation. The human heart is positioned within the thoracic cavity, medially between the lungs in the area known as the mediastinum. To locate the heart, place your hand in the center of your chest; although many people think the heart is located on the left side, it is actually closer to the center, with its apex pointing to the left. The external anatomy of the heart includes the great veins and arteries attached to the heart's base, as well as the apex located near the left sternum.
The internal anatomy reveals the chambers and valves responsible for systemic and pulmonary circulation. Oxygenated and deoxygenated blood flow through chambers of the heart in a specific pathway, guided by the cardiac cycle, which consists of systole and diastole phases. The heart is encompassed by three tissue layers: the epicardium, myocardium, and endocardium, each crucial for the heart's functioning as a pump. The myocardium contains specialized cardiac muscle cells that differ from skeletal and smooth muscle, and are vital for the heart's contraction and conduction system.