Cardiovascular System Flashcards
What are 3 layers in the heart?
Epicardium- outermost layer
Myocardium- muscular wall of the heart contains cardiac muscle tissue, blood vessels, and nerves
Endocardium- inner layer, squamous epithelium that lines the internal spaces of heart
Explain the blood flow in the heart
Deoxygenated blood enters right atrium through the superior and inferior vena Cava.
Deoxygenated blood is pumped from right ventricle to lungs via pulmonary artery into pulmonary circuit
Oxygenated blood from pulmonary circuit enters left atria through pulmonary veins and passes to to left ventricle which discharges into systemic circuit via aorta.
What are the 2 types of heart cells involved with heartbeat?
Mechanical cells- contractile cells
Electrical cells- conducting system
Describe the structure and function of arteries.
Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood AWAY from the heart to various parts of the body.
THICK WALLS
Define systole and diastole in the context of the cardiac cycle.
Systole- phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle contracts, pumping blood out of the chambers into the arteries.
Diastole- phase when the heart muscle relaxes and refills with blood.
Explain the difference between veins and arteries in terms of structure and function.
Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, have thick muscular walls, and are under high pressure.
Veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart, have thinner walls with less muscle, and contain valves to prevent backflow due to lower pressure.
What is the role of valves in the cardiovascular system?
Valves in the cardiovascular system, such as the atrioventricular (AV) valves (mitral and tricuspid) and semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonary), prevent the backflow of blood and ensure one-way flow through the heart chambers and major blood vessels.
Name the components of the intrinsic conduction system of the heart and briefly explain their function.
The components of the intrinsic conduction system include the sinoatrial (SA) node, atrioventricular (AV) node, bundle of His, bundle branches, and Purkinje fibers.
structures coordinate the electrical signals that regulate the heartbeat, ensuring proper timing and sequence of atrial and ventricular contractions.
What is the primary function of capillaries in the cardiovascular system?
Capillaries are tiny, thin-walled blood vessels that facilitate the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the blood and surrounding tissues through diffusion
Define cardiac output and explain how it is calculated.
Cardiac output is the volume of blood pumped by the heart per unit of time, usually expressed in liters per minute (L/min).
Multiply stroke volume by heart rate
Explain the term “blood pressure” and its significance in the cardiovascular system.
Blood pressure refers to the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels, primarily arteries.
How does the body regulate blood pressure?
Blood pressure is regulated by the autonomic nervous system, hormones
These mechanisms adjust cardiac output, peripheral resistance, and blood volume
What is the role of the endothelium in blood vessels?
The endothelium is a thin layer of cells lining the interior surface of blood vessels
regulating blood flow, and the exchange of substances between the blood and surrounding tissues.
What is the purpose of the coronary circulation?
Coronary circulation supplies oxygenated blood to the heart muscle (myocardium) itself.
It ensures that the heart receives the necessary oxygen and nutrients to function.
Describe the structure and function of the heart’s four chambers.
Atria receive blood returning to the heart, while ventricles pump blood out of the heart to the lungs and body. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body and pumps it to the right ventricle, which then pumps it to the lungs for oxygenation. The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it to the left ventricle, which then pumps it to the rest of the body.
