Anatomy & Physiology: Cardiovascular System Flashcards
To gain a basic understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the Cardiovascular System.
Blood
the red liquid that circulates in the arteries and veins of humans and other vertebrate animals, carrying oxygen to and carbon dioxide from the tissues of the body.
Plasma
Colorless fluid, consisting of about 92% water found within the blood, lymph, or milk, in which corpuscles or fat globules are suspended.
Erythrocytes
A red blood cell that (in humans) is typically a biconcave disc without a nucleus. Erythrocytes contain the pigment hemoglobin, which imparts the red color to blood, and transport oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the tissues.
Leukocytes
A colorless cell that circulates in the blood and body fluids and is involved in counteracting foreign substances and disease; a white (blood) cell.
Atria
The two upper cavities of the heart from which blood is passed to the ventricles. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the veins of the body; the left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary vein. Also called auricle.
Interventricular Septum
A structure that separates/divides the left and right ventricles of the heart.
Interatrial Septum
A structure that separates/divides the left and right atrium of the heart.
Thrombocytes
Formed elements that are part of the blood, which aid in blood clotting and wound healing. (Also known as Platelets)
Buffy Coat
Thin layer of white blood cells and platelets that are found between the reddish mass and plasma layers after the blood is spun in a centrifuge.
Vasodilate
When blood vessels expand.
Vasoconstrict
When blood vessels contract.
Pathogens
Foreign invaders that harm the body. A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.
Antibodies
A part of the body’s natural defense to recognize foreign substances and alert the immune system.
A blood protein produced in response to and counteracting a specific antigen.
Hemostasis
Helps maintain blood in its fluid state and stops blood from leaking out of a damaged blood vessel through clot formation.
Vascular Spasm
When blood vessels constrict to reduce blood loss.
Coagulation
The process of which blood changes from a liquid to a gel, forming a blood clot.
Blood Clotting
The process that prevents excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. Platelets and plasma work together to stop the bleeding by forming a clot over the injured area.
Antigens
A toxin or other foreign substance which induces an immune response in the body, especially the production of antibodies.
Rh Factor
Rhesus (Rh) factor is an inherited protein found on the surface of red blood cells. Can be either present (+) or absent (-), it increases the number of major blood groups from four to eight: A+, A-, B+, B-, O+, O-, AB+, and AB-
Agglutination
The process of an antibody identifying antigens on the surface of the red blood cell to which the antibodies can bind. (Also known as “Clumping”)
The Cardiovascular System
An organ system that permits blood to circulate and transport nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones, and blood cells to and from cells in the body to provide nourishment and help in fighting diseases, stabilize temperature, and pH, and maintain homeostasis.
Blood Type
Blood Type (or Blood Group) is a classification of blood based on the presence or absence of antibodies and inherited antigenic substances on the surface of red blood cells (RBC).
Arteries
Any of the muscular walled tubes forming part of the circulation system by which blood (mainly that which has been oxygenated) is conveyed from the heart to all parts of the body.
(Composed of elastic tissue and smooth muscle)
Veins
Any of the tubes forming part of the blood circulation system of the body, carrying in most cases oxygen-depleted blood toward the heart.
Arterioles
a small branch of an artery leading into capillaries.
Capillaries
- Any of the fine branching blood vessels that form a network between the arterioles and venules.
- A blood vessel with the internal diameter of hair-like thinness.
Ventricles
Two lower chambers of the heart. Receive blood from the atria and pump it to the body and lungs.
Pericardium
Outer membrane layer enclosing the heart. Consisting of a fibrous layer and inner double layer of serious membrane.
Myocardium
Middle muscular layer of the heart. It is a specialized form of skeletal muscle that constantly pumps rhythmically without “instruction” from nerves or blood.
Endocardium
Thin, smooth Innermost membrane layer of the heart. Lines the inside chambers of the heart and forms the surface of the valves.
Tricuspid Valve
Regulates blood flow between the right atrium and right ventricle. Prevents backflow of blood into the right atrium.
Pulmonary Valve
Regulates blood flow from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery.
Mitral Valve
Regulates blood flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle. (also Bicuspid Valve)
Aortic Valve
The last valve through which the blood passes before it enters the aorta or main blood vessel of the body. Regulates blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta.
Aorta
The largest and main artery in the body.
Cardiac Cycle
The complete cycle beginning with atrial contraction and ending with ventricular contraction.
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
Recording of electrical activity of the heart.
Epicardium
The outer layer of the heart or Visceral Pericardium
What are the 3 layers of the heart wall?
Epicardium, Endocardium, and Myocardium.
Chordae Tendineae
Also known as the heart strings, are tendon-resembling fibrous cords of connective tissue that connect the papillary muscles to the tricuspid valve and the bicuspid valve in the heart.
Anastomosis
The joining of vessels of similar size supplying the same anatomic area.
Mediastinum
The heart’s enclosure and is the space between the right and left lungs.
CPR
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: uses the flexible ribs to compress the heart between the sternum and backbone and pump blood in cases of cardiac arrest.
Venae Cavae
Blood returns via the superior and inferior Venae Cavae.
Chordae Tendineae
Are a group of tough, tendinous strands in the heart. They are commonly referred to as the “heart strings” since they resemble small pieces of string.
Functionally, the chordae tendineae play a vital role in holding the atrioventricular valves in place while the heart is pumping blood.
Sinoatrial (SA) Node
A small body of specialized muscle tissue in the wall of the right atrium of the heart that acts as a pacemaker by producing a contractile signal at regular intervals.
Atrioventricular (AV) Node
Controls the heart rate, is one of the major elements in the cardiac conduction system.
The AV node serves as an electrical relay station, slowing the electrical current sent by the sinoatrial (SA) node before the signal is permitted to pass down through to the ventricles.
Valve Stenosis
or Aortic Stenosis — occurs when the heart’s aortic valve narrows.
This narrowing prevents the valve from opening fully, which reduces or blocks blood flow from your heart into the main artery to your body (aorta) and onward to the rest of your body.
Cardiac Reserve
Ratio of maximum output to resting output.
Atrial Fibrillation
Known as AF or Afib,
is an irregular, rapid heart rate that may cause symptoms like heart palpitations, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
Ventricular Fibrillation
also known as a Cardiac Arrest,
is a heart rhythm problem that occurs when the heart beats with rapid, erratic electrical impulses. This causes pumping chambers in your heart (the ventricles) to quiver uselessly, instead of pumping blood.