Cardiovascular System Flashcards
Cardiovascular System
consists of the heart (cardio), the blood, and the blood vessels (vascular); the circulatory system
Atria
the two upper chambers of the heart
Ventricles
the two lower chambers of the heart
Right Atrium
receives unoxygenated blood returning from the body (superior and inferior vena cava) and sends to the right ventricle
Right Ventricle
receives blood from the right atrium and sends the oxygen-poor blood to the lungs via pulmonary arteries
Left Atrium
receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs via pulmonary veins and sends blood to the left ventricle
Left Ventricle
receives oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium, then pumps blood into the aorta for distribution in the body
Vena Cava
two major veins (superior and inferior) that return blood from the body to the right atrium
Superior Vena Cava
collects blood that is returned from the head and upper body
Inferior Vena Cava
collects blood from the body below the heart
Valve
a structure that opens and closes to permit the flow a a fluid in only one direction
Cardiac Conduction System
a system a specialized muscle tissue that conducts electrical impulses that stimulate the heart to beat
Artery
any blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart
Coronary Arteries
branch off from the aorta and supply the heart muscle with blood
Aorta
largest artery in the body, transports blood from the left ventricle. Travels superiorly then arches inferiorly in front of the spine through the thoracic and abdominal cavities. At the navel it splits into iliac arteries
Pulmonary Artery
begins at right ventricle, it carries oxygen-poor blood to the lungs
Pulmonary Vein
vessel that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart
Carotid Arteries
major arteries of the neck, one on each side of the neck, carry blood from heart to head
Femoral Artery
major artery of the thigh, pulsations can be felt in the crease between the abdomen and the groin
Brachial Artery
artery of the upper arm, pulse can be felt anteriorly in the crease over the elbow and along the medial aspect of the upper arm (also used to determine blood pressure)
Radial Artery
artery of the lower arm, pulse can be felt at the thumb side of the wrist
Posterior Tibial Artery
artery supplying the foot, behind the medial ankle, used when determining the circulatory status of the lower extremity
Dorsalis Pedis
artery supplying the foot, lies on top of the foot (lateral to the large tendon of the big toe)
Arteriole
the smallest kind of artery
Capillaries
thin walled microscopic blood vessels where the oxygen / carbon dioxide and nutrient / waste exchange with the body’s cells takes place
Venule
the smallest kind of vein
Vein
any blood vessel returning blood to the heart
Plasma
the fluid portion of the blood, red / white blood cells and platelets are carried in plasma
Red Blood Cells
carry oxygen to and carbon dioxide away from the cells
White Blood Cells
involved in destroying microorganisms (germs) and producing substances called antibodies, which help the body resist infection
Platelets
membrane-enclosed fragments of specialized cells, when these fragments are activated, they release chemical clotting factors needed to form blood clots
Pulse
the rhythmic beats cause waves of blood to move through and expand the arteries
How pulse is felt
felt by compressing an artery over a bone, allows you to feel wave of blood as it comes through the artery
Primary arteries where pulse is taken
pulse is taken for vital signs or CPR, carotid, brachial, and radial arteries
Peripheral Pulses
the radial, brachial, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis pulses
Central Pulses
the carotid and femoral pulses
Blood Pressure
the pressure caused by blood exerting force against the walls of blood vessels, pressure in artery is measured
Systolic Blood Pressure
the pressure created in the arteries when the left ventricle contracts and forces blood out into circulation
Diastolic Blood Pressure
the pressure in the arteries when the left ventricle is refilling
Perfusion
the supply of oxygen and nutrients to and removal of wastes from the cells and tissues of the body as a result of the flow of the blood through the capillaries
Hypoperfusion
inability of the body to adequately circulate blood to the body’s cells to supply them with oxygen and nutrients. A life threating condition, also called shock
