Ch 3 Flashcards
Capillaries
The smallest blood vessels, and the site of exchange of chemicals and water between the blood and the tissues
Cardiac output
Heart rate x stroke volume, the overall performance of the heart
Venules
The very small veins that connect capillaries to the larger veins
Mediastinum
The space in the chest between the lungs that contains all the internal organs of the chest except the lungs
Sinoatrial (SA) node
A specialized area of cardiac tissue, located in the right atrium of the heart, which initiated the electrical impulses that determine the heart rate; often termed the pacemaker of the heart
Ventricle
The inferior chamber of the heart that receives blood from its corresponding atrium and, in turn, forces blood into the arteries
Expiration
The process of actively or passively relaxing the inspiratory muscles to move air out of the body
Stroke volume
The amount of blood pumped out of the heart with each contraction
Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max)
The highest rate of oxygen transport and utilization achieved at maximal physical consumption
Veins
Vessels that transport blood from the capillaries toward the heart
Diffusion
The process of getting oxygen from the environment to the tissues of the body
Blood vessels
Network of hollow tubes that circulates blood throughout the body
Cardiovascular system
A system of the body composed of the heart, blood, and blood vessels
Arterioles
Small terminal branches of an artery, which end in capillaries
Heart
A hollow muscular organ that pumps a circulation of blood throughout the body by means of rhythmic contraction
