19.1 & 19.2 Overview of the Cardiovascular System & Gross Anatomy of the Heart Flashcards
cardiovascular system
An organ system consisting of the heart and blood vessels, serving for the transport of blood. Compare circulatory system.
circulatory system
An organ system consisting of the heart, blood vessels, and blood
pulmonary circuit
A route of blood flow that supplies blood to the pulmonary alveoli for gas exchange and then returns it to the heart; all blood vessels between the right ventricle and the left atrium of the heart.
systemic circuit
All blood vessels that convey blood from the left ventricle to all organs of the body and back to the right atrium of the heart; all of the cardiovascular system except the heart and pulmonary circuit.
pulmonary trunk
A large artery that divides into right and left pulmonary arteries.
pulmonary arteries
Arteries that transport blood to the alveoli of the lungs, where carbon dioxide is unloaded and oxygen is picked up.
pulmonary veins
Veins that transport oxygen-rich blood from the alveoli of the lungs to the left side of the heart.
aorta
A large artery by way of which blood leaves the left side of the heart.
aortic arch
An arched part of the aortic that gives off arteries that supply the head, neck, and upper limbs.
superior vena cava
A large vein that drains the upper body.
inferior vena cava
A large vein that drains all of the parts of the body below the diaphragm.
great vessels (great arteries and veins)
The major arteries and veins entering and leaving the heart.
mediastinum
The thick median partition of the thoracic cavity that separates one pleural cavity from the other and contains the heart, great blood vessels, esophagus, trachea, and thymus.
base
The broad, superior part of the heart, where the great vessels are attached.
apex
The bluntly pointed, inferior part of the heart, located just above the diaphragm.
pericardium
The double-walled sac in which the heart is enclosed.
fibrous pericardium
The outer wall of the pericardium, which consists of a tough, fibrous sac, surrounds the heart but is not attached to it, and is anchored to the diaphragm and sternum.
serous pericardium
A thin membrane deep to the fibrous pericardium consisting of two layers: the parietal and the visceral
parietal layer of the serous pericardium
A layer of the serous pericardium that lines the inside of the fibrous pericardium.
visceral layer of the serous pericardium (epicardium)
A layer of the serous pericardium that adheres to the heart surface and forms the outermost layer of the heart itself (the epicardium)
pericardial cavity
The space between the parietal and visceral layers of the serous pericardium that enfolds the heart
pericardial fluid
fluid in the pericardial cavity (5 to 30 mL) that is exuded by the serous pericardium to lubricate the membranes and allow the heart to beat with minimal friction
pericarditis
inflammation of the pericardium, in which the membranes may become roughened and produce a painful friction rub with each heartbeat
endocardium
A layer of the heart that lines the interior of the heart chambers, covers the valve surfaces, and is continuous with the endothelium of the blood vessels
myocardium
The middle, muscular layer of the heart.
vortex of the heart
bundles of myocardial muscle that spiral around the heart
cardiomyocytes
cardiac muscle cells