Cardio Vascular System

Question 1

Aorta

Answer 1

the great artery arising from the left ventricle, being the main trunk from which the systemic arterial system proceeds. It has four divisions: the ascending aorta, the aortic arch, the thoracic aorta, and the abdominal aorta.

Question 2

Atrioventricular valves

Answer 2

the valves lying between the atria and the ventricles of the HEART that ensure movement of the blood from the former to the latter only. They are, on the right side, the tricuspid valve, and on the left, the mitral valve.

Question 3

Atrium

Answer 3

the upper chamber on either side of the heart, transmitting to the ventricle of the same side blood received from the pulmonary veins (left atrium) and from the venae cavae (right atrium).

Question 4

Chordae tendinae

Answer 4

tendinous cords connecting the two atrioventricular valves to the appropriate papillary muscles in the heart ventricles.

Question 5

Diastole

Answer 5

Normal post systolic dilation of the heart cavities, during which they fill with blood; diastole of the atria precedes that of the ventricles; diastole of either chamber alternates rhythmically with systole or contraction of that chamber.

Question 6

Endocardium

Answer 6

The innermost tunic of the heart, which includes endothelium and sub-endothelial connective tissue; in the atrial wall, smooth muscle and numerous elastic fibers also occur.

Question 7

Epicardium

Answer 7

The inner layer of the pericardium that is in actual contact with the surface of the heart.

Question 8

Heart

Answer 8

the hollow muscular organ lying slightly to the left of the midline of the chest. The heart serves as a pump controlling the blood flow in two circuits, the pulmonary and the systemic.

Question 9

Mitral valve

Answer 9

the valve closing the orifice between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart; its two cusps are called anterior and posterior.

Question 10

Myocardium

Answer 10

the middle and thickest layer of the heart wall, composed of cardiac muscle.

Question 11

Pericardium

Answer 11

the fibro serous sac enclosing the heart and the roots of the great vessels, composed of external (fibrous) and internal (serous) layers.

Question 12

Pulmonary trunk

Answer 12

a vessel arising from the conus arteriosus of the right ventricle and bifurcating into the right and left pulmonary arteries.

Question 13

Semilunar valve

Answer 13

a heart valve composed of a set of three semilunar cusps (valvules); hence both the aortic and pulmonary valves are semilunar valves.

Question 14

Sinoatrial node

Answer 14

a collection of atypical muscle fibers in the wall of the right atrium where the rhythm of cardiac contraction is usually established; therefore also referred to as the pacemaker of the heart.

Question 15

Systematic circulation

Answer 15

the circulation of blood through the arteries, capillaries, and veins of the general system, from the left ventricle to the right atrium.

Question 16

Systole

Answer 16

Contraction of the heart, especially of the ventricles, by which the blood is driven through the aorta and pulmonary artery to traverse the systemic and pulmonary circulations, respectively; its occurrence is indicated physically by the first sound of the heart heard on auscultation, by the palpable apex beat, and by the arterial pulse.

Question 17

Tricuspid valve

Answer 17

the valve closing the orifice between the right atrium and right ventricle of the heart; its three cusps are called anterior, posterior, and septal.

Question 18

Ventricle

Answer 18

A small cavity or chamber within a body or organ. The chamber on the left side of the heart that receives arterial blood from the left atrium and contracts to force it into the aorta. The chamber on the right side of the heart that receives venous blood from the right atrium and forces it into the pulmonary artery.