The heart is a muscular organ located in the chest between the lungs. It pumps blood through the circulatory system, supplying oxygen and nutrients to tissues and removing waste. The heart has four chambers - two upper atria and two lower ventricles - separated by valves that ensure blood flows in only one direction. It works continuously to circulate blood through two circuits: the pulmonary circuit through the lungs and systemic circuit through the body. Valves between the chambers prevent backflow of blood as it is pumped from the atria to ventricles and out of the heart.