Cardiovascular System

Question 1

Anastomose

Answer 1

To interjoin or interconnect two separate entities

Question 2

Annulus Fibrosus

Answer 2

One of four fibrous rings of the fibrous skeleton

Question 3

Aortic Sinus

Answer 3

Space between the wall of each cusp of the aortic valve and the wall of the aorta

Question 4

Atrioventricular (AV) Valves

Answer 4

Valves between the atria and ventricles

Question 5

Auscultate

Answer 5

Listen to the sounds made by the internal organs for diagnostic purposes

Question 6

Bifurcation

Answer 6

When a tube or fibre splits in two

Question 7

Collagen

Answer 7

Part of connective tissue

Question 8

Crus

Answer 8

The area on the external surface of the heart at which the four chambers of the heart meet

Question 9

Desmosome

Answer 9

A specialised cell junction formed from cytokeratin that acts like a rivet holding cells firmly together

Question 10

Elastin

Answer 10

A coiled protein with elastic properties making up part of connective tissue

Question 11

Endothelial Cells

Answer 11

Thin, flattened cells that line the inside surfaces of body cavities, blood vessels and lymph vessels, in a single layer making up the endothelium

Question 12

Gap junction

Answer 12

A junction between two cells consisting of many pores that allow the passage of molecules up to about 900D

Question 13

Great Vessels

Answer 13

These are the right and left brachiocephalic veins, the left common carotid artery, the right brachiocephalic artery and the left subclavian artery

Question 14

Hollow

Answer 14

Air or fluid filled

Question 15

Intercostal space

Answer 15

The gap between two ribs

Question 16

Ischaemic

Answer 16

Impeded blood flow to tissues

Question 17

Mediastinal Pleura

Answer 17

A continuation of the costal pleura that line the lungs, passing from the sternum to the vertebral column which covers the side of the mediastinum

Question 18

Nociceptive Sensory Fibres

Answer 18

Sensory fibres which detect injury to tissues and mediate pain

Question 19

Pacemaker

Answer 19

A pacemaker rhythmically discharges electrical impulses. In the heart, the SA node is the dominant pacemaker

Question 20

Pericardial Cavity

Answer 20

The cavity formed by the pericardium which contains the heart and the roots of the great vessels

Question 21

Plasma Proteins

Answer 21

Dissolved proteins of blood plasma

Question 22

Sarcolemma

Answer 22

Plasma membrane of a striated muscle fibre

Question 23

Sarcomere

Answer 23

Repeating subunit from which the myofibrils of striated muscle are built

Question 24

Semilunar Valves

Answer 24

he valves between the vessels leaving the heart (pulmonary artery and aorta) and the ventricles

Question 25

Stenosis

Answer 25

A constriction or narrowing of a duct or passage

Question 26

Sternal and Costal Cartilages

Answer 26

Cartilages joining ribs to sternum

Question 27

Superior Thoracic Aperture

Answer 27

The upper boundary of the bony thorax composed of the first thoracic vertebrae and the upper margins of the first ribs and manubrium of the sternum

Question 28

Syncytium

Answer 28

An epithelium or tissue in which there is continuity between the cytoplasm of the constituent cells

Question 29

Thrombolytics

Answer 29

clot-busting drugs which solubilise thrombi

Question 30

Trachea

Answer 30

Also known as the wind pipe, it is the main tube which delivers air to and from the bronchi of the lungs

Question 31

Vasa Vasorum

Answer 31

Literally meaning vessels of vessels, the vasa vasorum is the network of blood vessels that nourishes the larger vessel

Question 32

Vasoactive Products

Answer 32

Compounds or proteins which act on the vascular system. For example nitric oxide causes vasodilation

Question 33

Vasoconstrictor

Answer 33

Something causing vasoconstriction. This is the regulation of blood flow by reducing the diameter of the lumen