Cardiovascular Terminology Flashcards
Acute coronary syndrome
A range of conditions associated with sudden, reduced blood flow to the heart.
Aneurysm
A localized widening (dilation) of an artery, vein, or the heart
Angi/o
Vessels
Angiography
X-ray imaging of blood vessels after injection of contrast material
Aorta
The largest artery in the body, arising from the left ventricle of the heart
Aortic stenosis
Narrowing of the aorta
Apex
Lower tip of the heart
Arterial anastomosis
Surgical connection between arteries
Arteriole
Small artery
Atrioventricular bundle
Specialized muscle fibers connecting the upper and lower chambers; bundle of HIS
Atrium
Upper chamber of the heart
Capillary
Any of the smallest blood vessels connecting arterioles with venules and forming networks throughout the body
Carbon dioxide
Gas released by body cells; travels in the blood to the lungs, where it is exhaled
Cardiomegaly
Enlargement of the heart
Cardiomyopathy
Disease or disorder that affects the heart muscle
Coronary arteries
The arterial blood vessels of coronary circulation, which transport oxygenated blood to the heart muscle
Cyanosis
Bluish coloration of the skin
Deep vein thrombosis
Blood clot forms in a large lower limb vessel
Deoxygenated blood
Venous blood - lower content of oxygen in the blood
Diastole
The time period when the heart is in a state of relaxation and dilation
Electrocardiogram
A recording of the electrical activity of the heart
Endocarditis
A condition in which the tissues lining the inside of the heart and the heart valves become inflamed
Endocardium
A thin serous membrane lining the cavities of the heart
Endothelium
A layer of flat cells lining the closed internal spaces of the body such as the inside of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels and the heart; pertaining to below the stomach
HTN
Hypertension
Infarction
Death of tissue resulting from a failure of blood supply
Mitral valve
A cardiac valve consisting of two triangular flaps which allow only unidirectional blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle
Mitral valve prolapse
A valvular heart disorder in which one or both mitral valve flaps close incompletely
Murmur
An abnormal sound or extra beat heard when listening to the heart or neighboring large blood vessels
Myocardium
The muscular wall of the heart, or the heart muscle
Normal sinus rhythm
The rhythm that originated from the sinus node and describes the characteristic rhythm, of the healthy human heart
Oxygen
Gas that enters the blood through the lungs
Pacemaker
Specialized nervous tissue in the right atrium that begins the heartbeat; sinoatrial node
Pericardium
A membrane, or sac, that surrounds the heart
Phleb/o
Vein
Phlebitis
Inflammation of the vein
Phlebotomy
Incision of the vein
Pulmonary artery
Carries blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs
Pulmonary vein
One of the four vessels that carry aerated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart
Pulmonary valve
Located between the lower right chamber and the vessel carrying blood to the lungs
Pulse
Beat of the heart as felt through the wall of the arteries
Septum
Partition or wall diving the chambers of the heart
Sinoatrial node
The hearts natural pacemaker; one of the major elements in the cardiac conduction system; the system that controls the heart rate
Superior vena cava
The large vein that returns blood from the head and arms to the heart
Systole
Period of contraction of the ventricles of the heart that occurs between the first and second heart sounds of the cardiac cycle
Thromb/o
Blood clot
Thrombosis
A blood clot that forms on the wall of a blood vessel or in the heart when blood platelets, proteins, and cells stick together
Tricuspid valve
Valve between the right atrium and ventricle
Vasoconstriction
Narrowing of the vessels
Vena cava
Largest vein in the body
Ventricle
Lower chamber of the heart
Venule
Small vein
