ch. 37 Flashcards
thick middle muscle layer of the heart; pumps blood through the circulatory system
myocardium
upper chamber of the heart that receives and holds blood that is about to enter the ventricle
atrium
lower chamber of the heart that pumps blood out of the heart
ventricle
pathway of circulation between the heart and the lungs
pulmonary circulation
pathway of circulation between the heart and the rest of the body except the lungs
systemic circulation
flap of connective tissue between the atrium and a ventricle, or in a vein, that prevents backflow of blood
valve
small group of cardiac muscle cells in the right atrium that “set the pace” for the heart as a whole; also known as the sinoatrial node
pacemaker
large blood vessel in mammals through which blood travels after it leaves the left ventricle
aorta
large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the tissues of the body
artery
smallest blood vessel; brings nutrients and oxygen to the tissues and absorbs carbon dioxide and waste products
capillary
a blood vessel that returns blood to the heart
vein
condition in which fatty deposits called plaque build up in the inner walls of the arteries
atherosclerosis
straw-colored fluid that makes up about 55 percent of blood
plasma
iron-containing protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to the tissues of the body
hemoglobin
type of white blood cell that produces antibodies that help destroy pathogens
lymphocyte
cell fragment released by bone marrow that helps in blood clotting
platelet
fluid lost by the blood into surrounding tissue
lymph
muscular tube at the end of the gastrovascular captivity, or throat, that connects the mouth with the rest of the digestive tract and serves as a passageway for air and food
pharynx
windpipe; tube through which air moves
trachea
structure in the throat containing the vocal cords
larynx
passageway leading from the trachea to a lung
bronchus
tiny air sac at the end of a bronchiole in the lungs that provides surface area for gas exchange to occur
alveolus
large, flat muscle at the bottom of the chest cavity that helps with breathing
diaphragm
stimulant drug in tobacco that increases heart rate and blood pressure
nicotine
disease in which the tissues of the lungs lose elasticity, making breathing difficult
emphysema
