Crocodile heart In the evolution of vertebrates the crocodile heart provides the first instance of two completely isolated ventricles—making a total of four chambers.This is not the case in other reptiles.The venous blood of the systemic circulation flows through the two superior venae cavae (1&2) and one inferior vena cava(3) into the right atrium(4).which opens into the right ventricle(5).Contraction of the ventricle forces the venous blood into the pulmonary artery(6)and the left arch of aorta(7).The oxygenated pulmonary blood returns through the pulmonary veins(8)to the 1eft atrium(9).It then flows into the left ventricle(10).which pumps the arterial blood into the systemic circulation through the right arch of aorta(11).Direction of blood is controlled by the valves.partly muscular,partly membranous.arranged in the interior of the heart.The two innominate arteries(12)arise from the right arch of aorta(11).The two arches of aorta connect outside the ventricles through an orifice (forarnen panizzae)and unite to form one vessel at the back.Although the arterial and venous blood iS completely separated within the heart itself ,mixing does Occur at the foramen panizzae (only slight)and at the junction of the two arches of aorta.The apical ligamentOf the heart(13)connects the apex of the heart with the pericardium.