CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM Flashcards
Function of Cardiovascular System
Provides oxygen and nutrients to tissue, and removes waste. Also transports blood
transportation of blood
vital in transporting substances between large cells and the external environment, therefore, maintains a stable internal environment (homeostasis).
Red blood cells
oxygen and gas transport
White blood cells
protect against disease and infection
Platelets
cell fragments; cells are incomplete (no nucleus). Initiate blood clots and close blood vessel breaks.
Plasma
clear liquid; mixture of water, amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, hormones, electrolytes, and cellular waste.
Structures of Cardiovascular System
Heart and blood vessels
Blood vessels
include arteries, arterioles, metarterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins.
Coverings of Heart
pericardium Fibrous pericardium Visceral pericardium Parietal pericardium Pericardial cavity
pericardium
Outer layer; encloses the heart
two layers:
Fibrous pericardium
Visceral pericardium
Fibrous pericardium
tough outer protective sac.
White, fibrous connective tissue. Encloses a more delicate double-layered sac.
Visceral pericardium
inner layer of sac; covers the heart.
At the base of the heart, the visceral layer turns back on itself and becomes the Parietal pericardium
Parietal pericardium
a double-walled inner sac
Pericardial cavity
between parietal and visceral layers of the pericardium layers
contains fluid that decreases friction as the heart moves. (Serous fluid - water and enzymes.)
Wall of the Heart
Epicardium
Myocardium
Endocardium
Epicardium
outer layer; protects the heart by decreasing friction.
Deep portion often contains adipose tissue, particularly along the paths of coronary arteries and cardiac veins that carry blood through the myocardium.
- corresponds to the visceral pericardium
Myocardium
middle layer; thick layer composed mostly of cardiac muscle that forces blood out of the heart chambers.
Layers are separated by connective tissue richly supplied with blood capillaries, lymph capillaries, and nerve fibers.
Endocardium
inner layer; continuous with the inner linings of blood vessels attached to the heart.
Contains blood vessels and some specialized cardiac muscle fibers (Purkinje fibers).
-consists of epithelium and connective tissue with many elastic and collagenous fibers.
