Cardiovascular System Definitions

Question 1

Systole

Answer 1

Contraction of the heart

Question 2

Diastole

Answer 2

Relaxation of the heart

Question 3

Pulse pressure

Answer 3

The difference in pressure in the arteries over the cardiac cycle, that is the difference between systolic arterial pressure and diastolic arterial pressure

Question 4

Cardiac output

Answer 4

The amount of blood the heart pumps in a minute

Question 5

Stroke volume

Answer 5

The volume pumped out of one ventricle in a heartbeat

Question 6

Chronotropy

Answer 6

Refers to a change in the heart rate

Question 7

Inotropy

Answer 7

Refers to a change in the contractility of the heart

Question 8

Tachycardia

Answer 8

A condition resulting in a faster than normal heart rate

Question 9

Bradycardia

Answer 9

A condition resulting in a slower than normal heart rate

Question 10

Venous tone

Answer 10

The degree of constriction of a vein relative to its maximally dilated state

Question 11

Vaso tone

Answer 11

The degree of constriction of an artery relative to its maximally dilated

Question 12

Vasoconstriction

Answer 12

The decrease in diameter of a blood vessel resulting from the contraction of the smooth muscle (usually arteries)
(Active control of diameter)

Question 13

Haemorrhage

Answer 13

A decrease in volume of blood due to a loss of blood from the blood vessels

Question 14

Hyperaemia

Answer 14

Increase in blood flow to a tissue

Question 15

Active hyperaemia

Answer 15

Increase in blood flow to a tissue following increased metabolic activity

Question 16

Reactive hyperaemia

Answer 16

Increase in blood flow to a tissue following a period of ischemia

Question 17

Intrinsic control

Answer 17

Control of cardiac output through mechanisms that increase venous return

Question 18

Extrinsic Control

Answer 18

Control of cardiac output through hormones, autonomic nerves and drugs

Question 19

4 heart valves

Answer 19

Right and left atrioventricular valves, right and left semilunar valves

Question 20

Heart rate

Answer 20

The number of heart beats per minute

Question 21

Venous return

Answer 21

The rate blood flows into a ventricle

Question 22

TBW

Answer 22

The total water content in all of the tissues and organs

Question 23

EFC

Answer 23

Fluid that is not contained within cells, includes lymph, interstitial fluid and plasma

Question 24

ICF

Answer 24

Fluid that is contained within cells

Question 25

Plasma

Answer 25

The liquid part of the blood

Question 26

Systolic pressure

Answer 26

The maximum arterial pressure in systemic arteries during contraction of the heart

Question 27

Diastolic pressure

Answer 27

The minimum pressure in systemic arteries during diastole of the heart

Question 28

Mean arterial pressure

Answer 28

The average arterial pressure throughout on cardiac cycle of systole and diastole

Question 29

Sinoatrial node

Answer 29

A specialised myocardial structure that initiates the electrical impulses in the heart to stimulate contraction

Question 30

Atrioventricular node

Answer 30

The part of the electrical conduction system of that heart that electrically connects the atria and ventricles

Question 31

Purkinje fibres

Answer 31

Receive conductive signals from the atrioventricular node and stimulate the ventricles to contract

Question 32

Automaticity

Answer 32

The ability to generate a heartbeat

Question 33

Ectopic beat

Answer 33

A beat generated outside the normal pacemaker

Question 34

EKG

Answer 34

A test the measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat

Question 35

Resistance

Answer 35

The resistance in blood vessels that must be overcome to push blood through the circulatory system and create flow

Question 36

Capitance

Answer 36

The measure of a blood vessels ability to increase the volume of blood it holds without a large increase in blood pressure

Question 37

Colloidal osmotic pressure

Answer 37

The osmotic pressure exerted by proteins in the blood in the capillaries, notably albumin

Question 38

Ischemia

Answer 38

A restriction in blood supply to a tissue

Question 39

Remodelling

Answer 39

Changes in the size of blood vessels due to long term metabolic activity of an area

Question 40

Angiogenesis

Answer 40

The formation of new blood vessels

Question 41

Central ischemic response

Answer 41

A response produced when blood flow to the brain is limited that elevates blood pressure and blocks blood flow to everywhere apart from the brain, lungs and heart