Cardiovascular system Flashcards by Niamh Sands

Where is the heart located

Middle inferior mediastinum

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What is infective endocarditis

Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves.
Bacterial infection involving the endocardial surface of the heart, including the valvular structures, the chordae tendineae, sites of septal defects or the mural endocardium

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What are the 2 loops of circulation in the CVS

Pulmonary
Systemic

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Which loop of circulation carries deoxygenated blood back to heart

Systemic

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What is the circulatory system

Organ system transporting oxygen, carbon dioxide and nutrients etc

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What makes up the cardiovascular system

Heart
Blood vessels
Blood
Lymphatic system

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What occupies the anterior inferior mediastinum

Fat and Thymus

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What is found in the posterior inferior mediastinum

Aorta and oesophagus

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How many layers does the pericardium have and what are
they

2 - fibrous and serous

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What is the purpose of the fibrous layer of the pericardium

Prevents rapid over-filling of the heart but can also restrict if there is an accumulation of fluid
(pericardial effusion) compressing the heart

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What is the difference between the superior and inferior Vena cava

Superior - carries deoxygenated blood from head, neck and upper limbs
Inferior - carries deoxygenated blood from below the level of the heart (abdomen, pelvis and lower limbs etc.)

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What valve separated the right atrium and ventricle

Tricuspid valve

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What does the pulmonary valve (semilunar valve) do

Allows blood to flow between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery

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Where does the brachiocephalic trunk originate from

Aortic arch

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What are the branches of the brachiocephalic trunk

Right subclavian artery
Right common carotid artery

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What does the brachiocephalic trunk supply

Right upper limb
Right side of brain
Head and neck

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What vessel allows blood to bypass the liver in utero

Ductus venosus

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What happens to the ductus venosus at birth

Closes and becomes the ligamentum venosum

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What allows blood to flow directly from the right to left atrium in foetal circulation

Foramen ovale

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What features are found within the circulatory system of a fetus but are not used after birth

Ductus arteriosus
Ductus venosus
Foramen ovale

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What happens is blood passes into the right ventricle in utero

The ductus arteriosus links the pulmonary trunk with the aorta allowing blood to flow into the systemic circulation of the feotus

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What do umbilical arteries do

Carry deoxygenated blood back to the placenta

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Why does the blood not pass through the right ventricle during foetal development

The lungs are not functioning as breathing does not occur in utero

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What is the fossa ovalis

Embryological remnant of the patent foreman ovale in foetal life which used to allow blood to flow between the right atrium and the left atrium

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What is the purpose of the musculi pectinati

Allows for stretch and increase in the volume of the right atrium

Where do the pectinate muscles originate

Crista terminalis

What is the right atrial appendage

An additional part of the right atrium typically used as the site for an external pacemaker to be positioned

Where would an external pacemaker typically be positioned

Right atrial appendage

What blood vessel drains the head, neck and upper limbs

Superior vena cava

What does the inferior vena cava drain

Everything below the level of the heart (abdomen, pelvis and lower limbs)

How many aortic sinuses are there

3 and they give rise to the left and right coronary arteries

Where do the pulmonary veins carry blood to

Left atrium

Why do we have a trabeculae carnae

Prevent suction that would occur with a flat surface membrane impacting ability to pump blood

What septal defects can we be born with

Interventricular/interatrial septum 'Hole in the heart' Atrial septal defect Ventricular septal defect Atrioventricular septal defect

What is ASD and what can isresult in

Atrial septal defect Incomplete closure of the foramen ovale Larger defects can result in hypertrophy of the RA and RV

What is hypertrophy

Enlargement in muscle mass

Why are larger holes more dangerous in ASD/VSD

They will compromise the lungs and heart due to increased blood pressure

Which septal defect requires surgery no matter the size

AVSD atrioventricular septal defect

What creates the 'Lub' sound of the heart beat

Closure of the atrioventricular valves at the time of ventricular systole

What creates the 'Dup' sound within the heart

Semilunar valves at the time of atrial systole

Which of the heart sounds is the loudest

'Lub'

What are the chordae tendinae

The heart strings that connect to the papillary muscles and prevent the mitral and tricuspid valves flipping back into the atria

What valves don't have chordae tendineae

Semilunar valves

What is metronidazole

An antibiotic which can be used to treat dental abscesses

What is the most common infective endocarditis

Subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE)

Where does infective endocarditis occur

On rheumatic or congenitally abnormal valves (even prosthetic)

Why might a murmur be present with infective endocarditis

Due to valvular vegetations

What is angina pectoris

Chest pain related to Coronary artery disease

What is collateral circulation

New blood vessel growth to pass around the area of reduced blood supply

What can coronary artery disease cause

Ischaemia - diminished blood supply to any tissue or organ of the body, causing shortage of oxygen Infarction Angina pectoris

Which artery is most likely to be blocked

Left coronary artery

What is the probability of the right coronary artery becoming blocked

30-40%

Which branch of the Left coronary artery is more likely to be blocked causing infarction

Anterior IV branch (40-50%) Circumflex branch (15-20%)

What is the longest vein of the body

Saphenous vein - from lower limb

What happens if arteries cant be unblocked endoscopically

Coronary artery bypass graft Using saphenous vein, internal mammary or internal thoracic artery

What does the moderator band do

Allows for more rapid conduction across to the anterior papillary muscle and helps with conduction times

What is atrial fibrillation

Rapid, irregular contraction of different parts of the atria

What is ventricular fibrillation

Rapid, irregular contraction of the ventricles Not compatible with systemic and coronary circulation Most disorganised form of dysrhythmia, and leads to cardiac arrest

What are arterioles

Terminal branches supplying capillary bed

Name the muscular arteries

Radial, femoral, coronary and cerebral

What are some elastic arteries

Aorta, common carotid, subclavian and pulmonary arteries

What are the Purkinje fibres

Specialised conducting fibres, bigger than cardiac myocytes and create a synchronised contraction across the ventricles, thus maintaining our regular heart rate