Cardiovascular Flashcards
Define an artery
Thick-walled, muscular vessels that carry blood away from the heart
Usually carry oxygenated blood; the exception; the pulmonary arteries
They have the ability to dilate and contract due to signals from the nervous system
They help to regulate blood pressure together with contraction of the left ventricle
Smallest arteries are called Arterioles.
Define a vein
Thin walled blood vessels that carry blood to the heart
Usually carry deoxygenated blood; the exception; pulmonary veins
Veins have valves which keeps blood moving in one direction – back up towards the heart.
Valves are necessary as veins operate under low pressure
Define a capillaries
Between the tiny Arterioles and Venules, at tissue level, are a network of blood vessels called Capillaries
•They are the smallest of all blood vessels, microscopic, have thin walls, and are only one cell thick
•They contain less than five percent of the total circulating blood volume at any one time
•About ten billion capillaries lace all body tissues, bringing blood and therefore oxygen and nutrients within reach of every cell.
What is the tunica adventitia
Outer fibrous sheath
What is the tunica íntima
Inner lining
What is the tunica media
Middle - elastic muscle tissue
◦Larger in arteries
Define the lumen
oInner channel of smooth muscle through which blood flows freely
Define the mediastinum
The Mediastinum refers to the space between the lungs that extends from the sternum, back to the vertebral column
Where is the base of the heart
is at the top anatomically, where the main vessels enter and exit the chambers.
Where is the apex of the heart
the point of the heart; lies at the bottom, on the diaphragm (at the 5th intercostal space)
What is the endocardium
The inner lining of the hearts chambers
•Smooth glistening layer of epithelial cells
•Allows for smooth blood-flow through the chambers
•Continuous to the inner lining of the blood vessels.
What is the myocardium
Muscular part of heart
•Allows for the pumping action of the heart
•It makes up most of the bulk of the heart.
•The highest percentage of muscle is around the left ventricle.
What is the pericardium/ epicardium
The outer layer of the heart
•The visceral layer is called the Epicardium
•It secretes the serous fluid.
•Pericardial cavity contains the serous fluid
•Prevents friction during heart contractions.
•Surrounded by the fibrous sac enclosing the heart to which the parietal layer is fixed.
What is the superior vena cava
The largest vein in the body
•Transports deoxygenated blood from the head, arms and upper body into the right atrium
What is the inferior vena cava
Transports blood from the lower body to the right atrium
What is the function of the right atrium
Receives blood from both Vena Cavae.
◦Blood is pushed through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle
What is the function of the right ventricle
Receives blood from the right atrium and pushes blood through the pulmonary/pulmonic valve into the Pulmonary Arteries
What do the pulmonary arteries
The pulmonary artery carries blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs
•The only artery that carries de-oxygenated blood
•It divides into two branches – one for each lung
•Gaseous exchange occurs in the alveoli.
What is the function of the pulmonary veins
Following metabolic gaseous exchange…
•The pulmonary veins carry blood from the lungs to the left side of the heart
•The only veins that carry oxygen-rich blood
•There are four pulmonary veins, two from each lung
What is the function of the left atrium
Receives blood from the pulmonary veins.
•Blood is then pushed through the Mitral/Bicuspid valve into the left ventricle
What is the function of the left ventricle
The main pump
•Receives blood from the left atrium and pushes blood through the Aortic Valve into the Aorta.
What is the aorta
The body’s largest blood vessel, arches out of the heart and down toward the lower body
•Carries oxygenated blood to the whole body
The aorta is divided into several parts:
•the ascending aorta
•the arch of the aorta
•the thoracic and abdominal portions of the descending aorta
What is the function of the coronary arteries
The exclusive arterial blood supply to the heart muscle and electrical conduction system
•They originate in the aorta just above the aortic valve
•This system of small arteries that branch from the Aorta, cross over the hearts surface, dividing and sending tiny branches into the heart muscle
•There are 2 main coronary arteries
◦The left coronary artery
◦The right coronary artery
What is the function of the left coronary artery
Left Coronary Artery
•Supplies the left ventricle, the intra-ventricular septum, and part of the right ventricle
•Anterior descending branch
•Circumflex branch
What is the function of the right coronary artery
Right Coronary Artery
•Supplies the right atrium and ventricle and part of the left ventricle
•Posterior descending branch
What is the definition of cardiac electrophysiology
An electrophysiology (EP) study is a test performed to assess your heart’s electrical system or activity and is used to diagnose abnormal heartbeats or arrhythmia.”