Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

human anatomy > cardiovascular system > Flashcards

cardiovascular system Flashcards

1
Q

What are the components of the cardiovascular system?

A

Heart, blood vessels, and blood

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the primary function of the cardiovascular system?

A

Transport of nutrients, gases, water, and chemical signals to and from all parts of the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the overall function of the cardiovascular system?

A

Maintenance of homeostasis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the size and weight of the human heart?

A

Size of a fist, 250-350 grams

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Where is the heart located in the body?

A

Ventral organ in the mediastinum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the three layers of the heart?

A
  • Pericardium
  • Myocardium
  • Endocardium
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the role of the fibrous pericardium?

A

Offers protection and anchorage, prevents overfilling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is cardiac tamponade?

A

Compression of the heart by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardial cavity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the outer layer of the heart called?

A

Epicardium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the thickest layer of the heart?

A

Myocardium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the inner layer of the heart called?

A

Endocardium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the function of the fibrous skeleton of the heart?

A
  • Reinforces the myocardium
  • Point of insertion for cardiac muscle fibers
  • Surrounds valves to prevent overstretching
  • Acts as an electrical insulator
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the two types of circulation in the cardiovascular system?

A
  • Pulmonary circulation
  • Systemic circulation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the function of the right atrium?

A

Receives deoxygenated blood from the body via venae cavae and coronary sinus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the function of the left atrium?

A

Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via left and right pulmonary veins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is a common atrial defect known as?

A

Septal defect or ‘Hole in the Heart’

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Why is a septal defect a problem?

A

Can lead to mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, causing chronic fatigue and shortness of breath

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Which ventricle has thicker muscle, right or left?

A

Left ventricle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the function of the valves in the heart?

A

Ensure one-way flow of blood

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What structures assist the atrioventricular valves?

A
  • Chordae tendineae
  • Papillary muscle
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are semilunar valves characterized by?

A

Pocket-like cusps

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is the significance of bioengineered heart valves?

A

They can grow with the recipient, offering a long-lasting solution for pediatric heart surgery

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is pulmonary circulation?

A

Right side of the heart receives oxygen-poor blood and pumps it to the lungs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is systemic circulation?

A

Left side of the heart receives oxygenated blood and pumps it throughout the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What are the three main types of blood vessels?

A

Arteries, Capillaries, Veins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What tissue layers can blood vessels have?

A

Endothelium, Connective tissue (elastic - elastin), Smooth muscle, Connective tissue (non-elastic – collagenous fibres)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What are the three distinct layers of artery and vein walls?

A
  1. Tunica interna/intima 2. Tunica media 3. Tunica externa/adventitia
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What is the function of arteries?

A

Arteries carry blood away from the heart under high pressure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Name the structural adaptations of arteries that relate to their function.

A
  • Narrow lumen * Thick elastic tissue * Thick smooth muscle * Thick collagen and elastic fibres
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What is the function of capillaries?

A

They allow exchange of materials between the blood and the tissue fluid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Describe the structure of capillaries related to their function.

A
  • Very narrow lumen (7um) * Single layer of flattened endothelial cells * Gaps between endothelial cells
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What is the function of veins?

A

Veins carry blood towards the heart under low pressure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

List the structural adaptations of veins related to their function.

A
  • Wider lumen * Thinner elastic tissue * Thinner smooth muscle * Thinner collagen and elastic fibres * Presence of valves
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

What is the role of precapillary sphincters?

A

They can regulate blood flow in some capillary beds

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

What is coronary circulation?

A

The supply of blood to and from the tissues of the heart

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Why do heart chambers provide little nourishment to heart tissue?

A

The blood flowing through the heart chambers does not supply enough oxygen and nutrients

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

What are the two main coronary arteries?

A

Left coronary artery, Right coronary artery

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

What is the coronary sinus?

A

It empties venous blood into the right atrium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

What is the most common cause of compromised coronary circulation?

A

Coronary artery disease (CAD)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

What is myocardial infarction often called?

A

Heart attack

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

What are common symptoms of a myocardial infarction?

A

Centre/left chest pain travelling to shoulder, arm, back, neck or jaw

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

What are cardiac troponins (cTnT and cTnI) used for?

A

They are biomarkers for diagnosing myocardial infarction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

What does myoglobin indicate in relation to myocardial infarction?

A

It is released rapidly from infarcted myocardium and can be detected as early as two hours after an MI

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

What are the limitations of using myoglobin as a biomarker?

A

It has high sensitivity but poor specificity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

What is the significance of hPSC-derived cardiomyocytes?

A

They have potential for regenerative medicine applications

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

What challenge is associated with transplanting cardiomyocytes?

A

Poor survival rate and risk of arrhythmias

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

Fill in the blank: The coronary arteries encircle the heart ‘like a _______’.

A

crown

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

What is the main muscle type that makes up the bulk of the heart?

A

Myocardium

Myocardium is also referred to as cardiac muscle.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

What are the two types of cardiac cells?

A
  • Contractile cardiomyocytes
  • Autorhythmic cells (pacemaker cells)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

How do cardiac muscle cells differ from skeletal muscle cells?

A
  • Striated
  • Short and branched
  • One or two nuclei per cell
  • Autorhythmic
  • No tetanus possible
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

What is the intrinsic pacemaker of the heart?

A

SA node

The SA node sets the heart pace at around 75 bpm in healthy adults.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

What is the function of the AV node?

A

Delays the impulse by 0.1 seconds to allow atrial contraction before ventricular contraction.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

What is the role of the AV bundle (bundle of His)?

A

It is the only electrical connection between the atria and ventricles.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

What are the Purkinje fibers responsible for?

A

Allow ventricles to contract forcefully from the apex to the top.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

How do action potentials differ between pacemaker cells and cardiomyocytes?

A

Pacemaker cells have a pacemaker potential; cardiomyocytes have a resting potential.

56
Q

What is the significance of Ca2+ during cardiomyocyte contraction?

A

It plays a role in the plateau phase and ensures a long refractory period.

57
Q

How does the action potential in cardiac muscle prevent tetanus?

A

The refractory period prevents a second contraction before the heart fills again.

58
Q

What are the phases of action potentials in cardiomyocytes?

A
  • Rapid depolarization
  • Plateau
  • Repolarization
59
Q

What factors affect heart rate?

A
  • Hormones (e.g., epinephrine, thyroxine)
  • Ions (e.g., calcium, sodium, potassium)
  • Physical factors (age, gender, exercise, body temperature)
60
Q

What does an ElectroCardioGram (ECG) measure?

A

The electrical activity of the heart.

61
Q

What is represented by the P-wave in an ECG?

A

Atrial depolarization (contraction).

62
Q

What does the QRS complex indicate in an ECG?

A

Onset of ventricular depolarization (contraction).

63
Q

What is the T-wave in an ECG associated with?

A

Ventricular repolarization (just before ventricles start to relax).

64
Q

What can an enlarged P wave indicate?

A

Enlarged atrium.

65
Q

What is Long-QT syndrome?

A

A genetic problem that causes repolarization abnormality and rapid heartbeats.

66
Q

What is the function of β-blockers in heart treatment?

A

They block β adrenoceptors to decrease electrical impulse through the AV node.

67
Q

What is arrhythmia?

A

Irregular heart rhythm due to defects in the conduction system.

68
Q

Name a serious type of heart block.

A

Conduction system slowed or blocked, commonly at AV node.

69
Q

What does ventricular fibrillation lead to?

A

Quick death as blood is not ejected from ventricles.

70
Q

What does the ST segment in an ECG represent?

A

The period when the entire ventricular myocardium is depolarized.

71
Q

What is the significance of the P-Q interval in an ECG?

A

Lengthened P-Q interval indicates scar tissue or coronary artery disease.

72
Q

Fill in the blank: The heart’s average resting pulse rate is _______.

73
Q

What is haemodynamics?

A

The study of how blood flows through the cardiovascular system.

74
Q

What are the three types of blood vessels and their functions?

A
  • Arteries: pressure reservoirs
  • Arterioles: resistance vessels
  • Veins: capacitance vessels
75
Q

What determines blood flow in the cardiovascular system?

A
  • Blood pressure
  • Resistance to flow
76
Q

What is a pressure gradient?

A

Blood flows down a pressure gradient, from a region of high pressure to a region of low pressure.

77
Q

What is driving pressure?

A

The pressure created in the ventricles as blood is forced out.

78
Q

What is the relationship between resistance and blood flow?

A

Flow is inversely related to resistance; an increase in resistance results in a decrease in flow.

79
Q

What factors affect resistance in blood vessels?

A
  • Radius of the tube
  • Length of the tube
  • Viscosity of the fluid
80
Q

What happens to blood flow during vasodilation?

A

Resistance decreases and blood flow increases.

81
Q

What is blood pressure?

A

The pressure that blood exerts against blood vessels as it is pumped by the heart.

82
Q

Where is systemic blood pressure highest and lowest?

A

Highest in the aorta, lowest in the venae cavae.

83
Q

What is systolic pressure?

A

Pressure generated by ventricular contraction, approximately 120 mmHg in healthy adults.

84
Q

What is diastolic pressure?

A

Aortic pressure during ventricular relaxation, approximately 70 to 80 mmHg in healthy adults.

85
Q

What is pulse pressure?

A

The difference between systolic and diastolic pressures.

86
Q

What is mean arterial pressure (MAP)?

A

MAP = Diastolic pressure + (1/3 of pulse pressure).

87
Q

How is blood pressure measured?

A

Using a sphygmomanometer to detect Korotkoff sounds.

88
Q

What defines hypotension?

A

Low systolic blood pressure, below 100 mmHg.

89
Q

What defines hypertension?

A

Sustained elevated arterial pressure of 140/90 mmHg.

90
Q

What is cardiac output (CO)?

A

CO = Heart Rate (HR) x Stroke Volume (SV).

91
Q

What factors affect blood pressure?

A
  • Cardiac output
  • Peripheral resistance
92
Q

What is venous return?

A

The flow of blood back to the heart through veins.

93
Q

What is the role of the respiratory pump?

A

Pressure changes during respiration help draw blood into the right atrium.

94
Q

What is the role of the skeletal muscle pump?

A

Skeletal muscle contractions help return blood to the heart through veins.

95
Q

What are baroreceptors?

A

Sensors that detect changes in blood pressure.

96
Q

What is the effect of the sympathetic nervous system on blood pressure?

A

Promotes vasoconstriction, which increases blood pressure.

97
Q

What is haemodynamic shock?

A

Failure of the cardiovascular system to deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to meet cellular needs.

98
Q

What are the types of shock?

A
  • Hypovolemic
  • Cardiogenic
  • Vascular
  • Obstructive
99
Q

What is the homeostatic response to shock?

A

Activation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and secretion of ADH.

100
Q

What are common signs and symptoms of shock?

A
  • Rapid resting heart rate
  • Weak, rapid pulse
  • Altered mental state
  • Sweating
  • Thirst
  • Reduced urine formation
  • Nausea
  • Acidosis
101
Q

What is the duration of one complete cardiac cycle?

102
Q

What occurs during systole?

103
Q

What occurs during diastole?

104
Q

What are the four phases of the cardiac cycle?

A
  • Ventricular filling
  • Isovolumetric contraction
  • Ejection
  • Isovolumetric relaxation
105
Q

What is the pressure relationship during ventricular filling?

A

P in atrium > P in ventricle; P ventricle < P aorta

106
Q

What happens during atrial diastole?

A

Heart is relaxed, pressure in heart is low, AV valves are open

107
Q

What is the role of the AV valves during atrial systole?

A

They close as the ventricles begin to contract

108
Q

What marks the beginning of ventricular systole?

A

Atrial systole ends

109
Q

What occurs during the ejection phase of the cardiac cycle?

A

Intraventricular pressure surpasses the pressure in major arteries, semilunar valves open

110
Q

What is stroke volume?

A

Volume of blood ejected by each side of the heart per contraction

111
Q

How is stroke volume calculated?

A

Stroke volume = EDV – ESV

112
Q

What does EDV stand for?

A

End Diastolic Volume

113
Q

What does ESV stand for?

A

End Systolic Volume

114
Q

What is the average stroke volume in mL?

115
Q

What is the formula for ejection fraction?

A

(EDV – ESV)/EDV * 100

116
Q

What are the two loudest heart sounds heard through a stethoscope?

A
  • S1 = ‘lub’
  • S2 = ‘dub’
117
Q

What causes heart murmurs?

A

Abnormal sound indicating valve disorder

118
Q

What is cardiac output (CO)?

A

Amount of blood pumped by each side of the heart in 1 minute

119
Q

How is cardiac output calculated?

A

CO = SV x HR

120
Q

What is the typical heart rate (HR) in beats per minute?

A

75 beats per minute

121
Q

What is the cardiac output of an average healthy adult?

A

5.25 L/min

122
Q

What is cardiac reserve?

A

Difference between max CO & rest CO

123
Q

What are the three main factors affecting stroke volume?

A
  • Preload
  • Afterload
  • Contractility
124
Q

What does preload refer to?

A

Degree cardiac muscle cells are stretched just before they contract

125
Q

What is the Frank-Starling Law of the Heart?

A

The higher the preload, the higher the stroke volume

126
Q

What is afterload?

A

Pressure that the ventricles must overcome to eject blood

127
Q

What factors influence contractility?

A
  • Calcium levels in cardiomyocytes
  • ANS modulation
  • Inotropic agents
128
Q

What are positive chronotropic factors?

A

Factors that increase heart rate

129
Q

What are negative chronotropic factors?

A

Factors that decrease heart rate

130
Q

What role does the autonomic nervous system play in heart rate regulation?

A

It modulates heart rate and contractility

131
Q

How do hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine affect heart rate?

A

They increase both heart rate & contractility

132
Q

What effect does increased body temperature have on heart rate?

A

Increases heart rate

133
Q

What happens to cardiac output during intense exercise?

A

Increases to about 19.5 L/min

134
Q

Fill in the blank: Cardiac output (CO) can be affected by changes in _______.

A

[stroke volume or heart rate]

135
Q

True or False: Mitral valve prolapse is always a serious condition.

human anatomy (21 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions