CH. 10: Cardiovascular Terms Flashcards
heart
muscular cone-shaped organ the size of a fist, located behind the sternum (breastbone) and between the lungs
atrioventricular valves
consists of the tricuspid and mitral valves, which lie between the right atrium and the right ventricle and the left atrium and left ventricle
semilunar valves
pulmonary and aortic valves located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery and between the left ventricle and the aorta
pericardium
two-layer sac surrounding the heart, consisting of an external fibrous and an internal serous layer
epicardium
outer lining covering the heart; also part of the pericardium
myocardium
middle, thick, muscular layer of the heart
endocardium
inner lining of the heart
blood vessels
tubelike structures that carry blood throughout the body
arteries
blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart
arterioles
smallest arteries
aorta
largest artery in the body, which originates at the left ventricle, briefly ascends as the arch of the aorta, then descends through the thorax and abdomen
veins
blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart
venules
smallest veins
venae cavae
largest veins in the body; inferior vena cava and superior vena cava
capillaries
microscopic blood vessels that connect arterioles with venules
cholesterol
a compound important in the production of sex hormones, steroids, cell membranes, and bile acids; produced by the body and is also contained in foods such as animal fats; transported by lipoproteins
high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
a type of lipoprotein that removes cholesterol from the tissues and transports it to the liver to be excreted in the bile; elevated levels are considered protective against development of atherosclerosis, which may lead to coronary artery disease; often referred to as the “good” cholesterol
low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
a type of lipoprotein that transports cholesterol to the tissue and deposits it on the walls of the arteries. High levels of LDL are associated with the presence of atherosclerosis, which may lead to coronary artery disease; often referred to as the “bad” cholesterol
total cholesterol
a measurement of the cholesterol components LDL, HDL, and VLDL (triglyceride carriers) in the blood
triglycerides (TGs)
a form of fat in the blood; synthesized in the liver and used to store energy; test results are used to assess the risk of coronary artery disease
very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)
a type of lipoprotein that transports most of the triglycerides in the blood; elevated levels indicate a risk for developing coronary artery disease
