Cardiovascular System Flashcards
How many chambers does the heart have and what are they known as?
4 Chambers:
- 2 atriums: ‘entrances’ where blood is received from circulation
- 2 ventricles: where contraction occurs (valves go upwards & close)
Where is the blood supply from in the left and right…
- Atrium
- Ventricle
Which requires more contraction?
Atrium blood supply:
- Superior Vena Cava (receives blood from above diaphragm)
- Inferior Vena Cava (receives blood from below diaphragm)
Blood in left atrium is from left pulmonary veins (these bring back blood from lungs)
Ventricle blood supply:
- Right ventricle pumps blood up to pulmonary trunk, sends blood to LUNGS
- Left ventricle pumps blood to aorta (largest atery) out to the BODY
Which requires more contraction?
Ventricles (has thick walls for greater contraction, due to higher blood pressure)
(Atrium = thin walls)
Label the main areas of the heart in the order of blood flow.
Hint: specify which side it is on.
- Inferior and superior (above diaphragm) vena cava
- Right atrium
- Tricuspid valve
- Right ventricle
- Pulmonary semi-lunar valve
- Pulmonary artery
- Lungs
- Pulmonary veins
- Left atrium
- Mital valve
- Left ventricle
- Aortic semi lunar valve
- Aorta - main blood supplier - branches off into 2 coronary blood vessels (L & R)
- Body
How many valves are in the heart and what are they subdivided into?
There are 4 valves in the heart
2 atrioventricular valves: between atrium and ventricles
- (R) Tricuspid value - ‘3 cusps’
- (L) Mitral valve - ‘2 cusps’
2 semi-lunar valves: ‘half moon’ cusps
- Aorta
- Pulmonary trunks
Function of the valves in the heart?
To ensure blood flows in one direction
To prevent the backflow of blood
What is an ‘incompetent valve’ or a ‘leaky valve’?
A valve that does not close properly, allowing blood to leak backwards. (The heart can pump the same blood over & over as valve backflows)
A heart can still function unless it is severe
What is valvular sternosis? What is the treatment for this?
When the valves in the heart stiffen, narrowing the valve size meaning they cannot open fully.
As a result the heart has to pump more forcefully and weakens the heart over time.
Treatment: valve to be replaced.
What are the 3 layers of the heart wall?
Epicardium
- Closest to pericardium & most superficial of 3 layers
- Can get infiltrated with fat
Myocardium
- Middle & largest layer
- Contractible layer
- ‘Myo’ = muscle
- Cardium = heart
Endocardium
- Inner, thin layer
- ‘Endo’ = inside
What is the double walled sac that encases the heart?
What are the 2 layers of this sac?
What is its main function?
Pericardium
2 layers:
- Fibrous pericardium: outer layer made of strong connective tissue
- Serous pericardium: inner layer made of serous memberane
What is the pericardial cavity? What is its function?
The space between the two layers of serous pericardium around the heart
Contains small amount of serous fluid that reduces surface tension
Facilitates movement of the heart
What is endocarditis?
Infection of the endocardium caused by bacteria
What is pericarditis?
Inflammation of the pericardium by rubbing against roughened surface of the heart
What is vascular system is known to supply blood to the heart?
Why does the heart require it’s own blood supply?
Coronary circulation: hearts own vascular system that delivers blood to it
Heart requires its own blood supply to obtain oxygen rich blood for survival (aorta branches into 2 coronary arteries)
What is Coronary Heart Disease? How is it caused, diagnosis, treatment & prevention?
What is it also known as?
CHD: When coronary circulation is interrupted by a build up of fatty substances inside your coronary arteries (through a process called atherosclerosis). Arteries become so narrow that it prevents oxygen-rich blood travelling to the heart.
Causes: unhealthy lifestyle (poor diet, no exercise), high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, being overweight, family history, age
Diagnosis: ECG, echocardiogram, x-ray
Treatment: Bypass, medication
Also known as:
(CAD) Coronary artery disease
(IHD) Ischaemic heart disease
What is angina? What are the two types of angina?
Angina: The intermittent blocks of arterial circulation that is due to a lack of blood to the myocardium. Referred to as ‘chest pain’
2 Types:
- Stable Angina (more common): Attacks have a particular trigger such as stress or exercising and stops within a few minutes of rest
- Unstable Angina (more serious): Attacks are more unpredictable, may not have a trigger and can continue despite resting