Cardiac Physiology Flashcards
About _________ of the adult human body is fluid, mainly a water solution of ions and other substances.
50- 70%
What ions make up extracellular fluid?
Na, Cl, HCO3, & nutrients: oxygen, glucose, fatty acids, amino acids
What ions make up intracellular fluid?
K, Mg, Phosphate ions
Although most of this fluid is inside the cells (intracellular), about _________ is in the spaces outside of the cells (extracellular)
one-third
__________ potassium in the extracellular fluids causes the heart to become dilated and flaccid and slows the heart rate
Excess
High potassium concentration in the extracellular fluids __________ the resting membrane potential in the cardiac muscle fibers.
decreases
Large quantities of potassium also can ___________ of the cardiac impulse from the atria to the ventricles through the A-V bundle.
block conduction
Potassium concentration to only 8 to 12 mEq/L - two to three times the normal value can cause
severe weakness of the heart, abnormal rhythm, and death.
__________ calcium ions cause the heart to move toward spastic contraction.
Excess
True or False: Deficiency of calcium ions causes cardiac weakness
True
What are the three types of cardiac muscles?
Atrial, ventricular, and specialized excitatory and conductive muscle fibers
Cell membrane that separates individual cardiac muscle cells
Intercalated discs
Cell membranes fuses with one another to form permeable communication junctions that allow rapid diffusion of ions
Gap junctions
Factors that HR is effected by: cardiac rhythm, autonomic efferent innovation, neural reflex mechanisms, hormonal influences (Extrinsic or Intrinsic)
Intrinsic
Factors that HR is effected by: pharmaceuticals, recreational drugs, fear, hypo/hyperthermia (Extrinsic or Intrinsic)
Extrinsic
True or false: When one cell undergoes an action potential (AP),
the AP spreads to all connecting cells
True
What node is along the epicardial surface at the junction of the superior vena cava and right atrium that receives blood supply from the prominent central artery branch of the RCA
SA Node
What type of cells make up the SA node?
P cells (pacemaker cells) and transitional cells
What is the intrinsic rate of the SA node?
60-100 beats/min
What is the speed of conduction for the SA node?
0.5 m/sec
Lies in the atria and cells are composed of large nuclei and sparse myofibrils
Internodal tracts
Anterior Internodal Tract is known as _________ and extends into the LA then travels through atrial septum to AV node
Bachman bundle
Middle Internodal Tract is known as __________ and curves behind the SVC before descending to AV node
Wenckebach track
Posterior Internodal Tract is known as ________ and continues along terminal crest to atrial septum to AV node
Thorel pathway
What node is located on the posterior aspect of the right atrium behind the tricuspid valve, near the opening of the coronary sinus?
AV node
True or False: Conduction delay does NOT allow time for the atria to empty blood into the ventricle
False: Conduction delay allows time for the atria to empty blood into the ventricle
What is the intrinsic rate of the AV node?
40- 60 beats/min
What is the conduction velocity for the AV node?
2 m/sec
There is a total conduction delay of ________ before excitatory signal reaches contracting muscle of the ventricles
0.16
Consists of the bundle branch and terminal branches that extends out towards the endocardium
Purkinje System
What is the intrinsic rate of the Purkinje system?
20- 40 beats/min
What is the conduction velocity for the Purkinje system?
4 m/sec
Innervates anterolateral wall of LV & anterior papillary muscle
Anterior Fascicles
Innervates lateral and posterior ventricular wall & posterior papillary muscle
Posterior Fascicles
Innervates lower ventricular septum & apical wall of LV
Septal Fascicles
What occurs in Phase 0 (Depolarization)
Fast sodium channels open
What occurs in Phase 1 (Initial Repolarization)
Fast sodium channels close
What occurs in Phase 2 (Plateau)
Calcium channels open and fast potassium channels close
What occurs in Phase 3 (Rapid Repolarization)
Calcium channels close and slow potassium channels open
What occurs in Phase 4 (Resting Membrane Potential)
RMP averages -80 to -90 millivolts
True or False: Cardiac muscle is a syncytium of many heart cells interconnected that when one cell becomes excited, the action potential spreads rapidly to all cardiac cells.
True
True or False: Efferent autonomic tone to the heart is initiated in the anterior (PNS) and posterior (SNS) hypothalamus and is modulated by the cardiac acceleration and cardiac slowing centers in the medulla prior to distribution.
True