Cardiovascular system Flashcards
The human heart is located within the thoracic
cavity, medially between the lungs in the space
known as
Mediastinum
Receives deoxygenated blood
from the body through the superior and inferior
vena cava.
Right atrium
Right ventricle
Pumps the deoxygenated
blood to the lungs through the pulmonary
artery for oxygenation.
Receives oxygenated blood from
the lungs via the pulmonary veins.
Left atrium
Pumps oxygenated blood to
the rest of the body through the aorta. It is the
strongest chamber due to its thicker muscular
walls
Left ventricle
Between the right atrium and
right ventricle, prevents backflow into the right
atrium
Tricuspid valve
Between the right ventricle
and pulmonary artery, prevents backflow into
the right ventricle
Pulmonary valve
Between the left
atrium and left ventricle, prevents backflow
into the left atrium
Mitral (bicuspid) valve
Between the left ventricle and
aorta, prevents backflow into the left ventricle.
Aortic valve
Carry deoxygenated blood from the body into the
right atrium
Superior and inferior vena cava
Transport deoxygenated
blood from the right ventricle to the lungs
Pulmonary arteries
Carry oxygenated blood
from the lungs to the left atrium
Pulmonary veins
Distributes oxygenated blood from the
left ventricle to the rest of the body.
Aorta
The inner lining of the heart
chambers
Endocardium
The thick muscular layer
responsible for contractions
Myocardium
Relays the
electrical signal from the atria to the ventricles
Atrioventricular node
A double-layered membrane
that surrounds the heart, providing protection
and support.
Pericardium
The heart’s natural pacemaker, located in the right atrium, generates electrical impulses that initiate the heartbeat
Sinoatrial node
Conduct
electrical impulses throughout the ventricles,
ensuring synchronised contraction
Bundle of His and Purkinje fibers
○ A closed system of the heart and blood
vessels
○ The heart pumps blood. Blood vessels allow
blood to circulate to all parts of the body.
○ The function of the cardiovascular system is to
deliver oxygen and nutrients and to remove
carbon dioxide and other waste products.
Key functions of the heart
What is the role of circulation in the body?
It is to deliver nutrients and oxygen to all cells
in the body and takes away wastes.
Movement of blood from the heart, to the
lungs, and back to the heart
Pulmonary circulation
Movement of blood from the heart to the rest
of the body, excluding the lungs.
Systemic circulation
Movement of lymph from the tissues back into
the bloodstream.
○ It’s a vital part of the body’s immune system,
helping to drain excess fluid, absorb fats, and
fight infection
Lymphatic circulation
3 different types of circulation
Pulmonary, systemic, and lymphatic
carry blood away from your heart.
Arteries
carry blood back toward your heart
Veins
the smallest blood vessels, connect arteries
and veins
Capillaries
3 layers of arteries (thick walls)
Composed of three layers: the tunica intima (inner
layer), tunica media (middle layer), and the tunica
externa (outer layer).
Has the same three-layer structure but with a thinner
tunica media and a larger lumen (the hollow space
within the vessel)
Veins (thinner walls compared to the thicker walls of arteries)
Are composed of a single layer of endothelial
cells, allowing for easy exchange of substances.
Capillaries
Are small branches of arteries with a muscular wall that
can constrict and dilate
Arterioles
Small vessels that collect blood from capillaries and have thinner walls than arterioles
Venules
carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart (except
for the pulmonary arteries, which carry deoxygenated blood to
the lungs).
Function of artery
While the arteries carry oxygenated blood, the veins, on the other hand, carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart
Function of vein
The sites of exchange between blood and tissues,
allowing oxygen, nutrients, carbon dioxide, and waste
products to move between blood and cells
Function of capillaries
Regulate blood flow into capillary beds by adjusting their
diameter, which helps control blood pressure and
distribution of blood to different tissues.
Function of arterioles
Transport deoxygenated blood from capillaries to veins,
beginning the process of returning blood to the heart
Function of venules
carry deoxygenated blood from
the right side of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation.
Pulmonary arteries
Pulmonary veins
bring oxygenated blood from the
lungs back to the left side of the heart.
supply blood to the heart muscle
itself
Coronary arteries
drain deoxygenated blood from the
heart muscle
Coronary veins
Essence of life, transporting oxygen and
nutrients to the lungs and tissues. It regulates
pH as well as fluid and ion balance.
Blood
2 main components of blood
plasma, and formed
elements.
It maintains Osmotic pressure, involved in immunity,
prevents blood loss, and transports molecules.
Plasma
The formed elements are cells (RBC and WBC) and
cell fragments (platelets)
FOrmed elements
- is a continuous process that
produces formed elements
Hematopoiesis
