Cardiovascular system Flashcards
Cardiovascular system
A closed circuit consisting of the heart and blood vessels responsible for the transport of oxygen, nutrients, and wastes.
Arteries
Transport blood away from the heart.
Veins
Transport blood towards the heart
Capillaries
Vessels that run between the arteries and the veins
Pulmonary circuit
Oxygen poor blood flow between the heart and the lungs
Systemic circuit
Oxygen rich blood flow between the heart and body tissues
Pericardium
The membranous sac that encloses the heart
Fibrous pericardium
The outer layer of the pericardium, which is composed of tough, protective tissue.
Serous pericardium
The inner double layered part of the pericardium
Parietal pericardium
The outer layer of the serous membrane which lines the inner surface of the fibrous pericardium
Visceral Pericardium
The inner layer of the serous membrane which covers the heart
Pericardial cavity
The space between the parietal and visceral layers. It contains serous fluid which reduces friction between the layers.
Epicardium
The outermost layer of the heart, a serous membrane made up of connective tissue and epithelium.
Myocardium
The middle layer of the wall of the heart which consists of cardiac muscle. It is the thickest layer of the heart wall and pumps blood out of the heart chambers.
Endocardium
The inner layer of the heart wall which is made up of connective tissue and epithelium. It contains the purkinje fibres.
Atria
The 2 upper chambers of the heart which receive blood.
Ventricles
The 2 lower chambers of the heart which pump blood out of the heart
Septum
Separates the atrium and ventricle on the right from those on the left.
Atrioventricular valve
Valves between the atria and ventricles that prevent the backflow of blood.