Cardiovascular Vocabulary

Question 1

The part of the conduction system of the heart that begins at the atrioventricular (AV) node, passes through the cardiac skeleton separating the atria and the ventricles, then extends a short distance down the interventricular septum before splitting into right and left bundle branches.

Answer 1

Atrioventricular (AV) bundle / Bundle of His

Question 2

The part of the conduction system of the heart made up of a compact mass of conducting cells located in the septum between the two atria.

Answer 2

Atrioventricular (AV) node

Question 3

A heart valve made up of membranous flaps or cusps that allows blood to flow in one direction only, from an atrium into a ventricle.

Answer 3

Atrioventricular (AV) valves

Question 4

A superior chamber of the heart.

Answer 4

Atrium

Question 5

Neuron capable of responding to changes in blood, air, or fluid pressure.

Answer 5

Baroreceptors

Question 6

Atrioventricular (AV) valve on the left side of the heart.

Answer 6

Bicuspid (mitral) valve

Question 7

A complete heartbeat consisting of systole (contraction) and diastole (relaxation) of both atria plus systole and diastole of both ventricles.

Answer 7

Cardiac cycle

Question 8

Groups of neurons scattered within the medulla oblongata that regulate heart rate, force of contraction, and blood vessel diameter.

Answer 8

Cardiovascular center

Question 9

The layer of the heart wall, composed of endothelium and smooth muscle, that lines the inside of the heart and covers the valves and tendons that hold the valves open.

Answer 9

Endocardium

Question 10

The thin outer layer of the heart wall, composed of serous tissue and mesothelium.

Answer 10

Epicardium

Question 11

The middle layer of the heart wall, made up of cardiac muscle tissue, lying between the epicardium and the endocardium and constituting the bulk of the heart.

Answer 11

Myocardium

Question 12

A small mass of cardiac muscle fibers (cells) located in the right atrium inferior to the opening of the superior vena cava that spontaneously depolarize and generate a cardiac action potential about 100 times per minute. Also called the natural pacemaker.

Answer 12

Sinoatrial (SA) node

Question 13

The routes through which oxygenated blood flows from the left ventricle through the aorta to all the organs of the body and deoxygenated blood returns to the right atrium.

Answer 13

Systemic circulation

Question 14

A cavity in the brain filled with cerebrospinal fluid. An inferior chamber of the heart.

Answer 14

Ventricles

Question 15

A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

Answer 15

Artery

Question 16

Force exerted by blood against the walls of blood vessels due to contraction of the heart and influenced by the elasticity of the vessel walls; clinically, a measure of the pressure in arteries during ventricular systole and ventricular diastole.

Answer 16

Blood pressure (BP)

Question 17

Systemic veins and venules that contain large amounts of blood that can be moved quickly to parts of the body requiring the blood.

Answer 17

Blood reservoir

Question 18

A microscopic blood vessel located between an arteriole and venule through which materials are exchanged between blood and interstitial fluid.

Answer 18

Capillaries

Question 19

Sensory receptor that detects the presence of a specific chemical.

Answer 19

Chemoreceptors

Question 20

Large vein that collects blood from parts of the body inferior to the heart and returns it to the right atrium.

Answer 20

Inferior vena cava (IVC)

Question 21

Large vein that collects blood from parts of the body superior to the heart and returns it to the right atrium.

Answer 21

Superior vena cava (SVC)

Question 22

A ring of smooth muscle fibers (cells) at the site of origin of true capillaries that regulate blood flow into true capillaries.

Answer 22

Precapillary sphincter

Question 23

A decrease in the size of the lumen of a blood vessel caused by contraction of the smooth muscle in the wall of the vessel.

Answer 23

Vasoconstriction

Question 24

An increase in the size of the lumen of a blood vessel caused by relaxation of the smooth muscle in the wall of the vessel.

Answer 24

Vasodilation

Question 25

The flow of deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs and the return of oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium.

Answer 25

Pulmonary circulation

Question 26

Muscle fiber (cell) in the ventricular tissue of the heart specialized for conducting an action potential to the myocardium; part of the conduction system of the heart.

Answer 26

Purkinje fibers