Chapter 22 Cardiothoracic Key Terms

Question 1

alveoli

Answer 1

The terminal end of the bronchioles, grape-like clusters within the lung where the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen takes place

Question 2

aneurysm

Answer 2

A sac formed by localized dilatation of the walls of an artery due to structural weakening

Question 3

arrhythmia

Answer 3

Absence of cardiac rhythm

Question 4

atherosclersis

Answer 4

An arterial disorder characterized by yellowish plaque that lines the inner layer of arteries causing a narrowing of the lumen resulting in a decreased flow of blood to organs supplied by arteries

Question 5

atria

Answer 5

Upper chambers of the heart that receive blood from the superior vena cava and inferior vena cava veins and the coronary sinus

Question 6

cannulation

Answer 6

The surgical insertion of a cannula into a body cavity or a lumen such as a blood vessel

Question 7

cardiac cycle

Answer 7

Everything that occurs within the heart during a single heartbeat

Question 8

diastole

Answer 8

The period between contractions of the atria and ventricles, and the blood is entering the relaxed chambers; indicated by the lower number of the blood pressure reading

Question 9

empyema

Answer 9

The collection of pus in the pleural space due to a bacterial infection that is removed by surgical incision and drainage

Question 10

expiration

Answer 10

Also called exhalation that refers to the passive exhaling of air from the lungs

Question 11

fibrillation

Answer 11

Abnormal involuntary and uneven contractions of a heart chamber; it is described according to the chamber that is affected such as ventricular fibrillation

Question 12

hemoptysis

Answer 12

Sputum that is coughed up that contains blood

Question 13

hyaline cartilage

Answer 13

An elastic connective tissue that covers the ends of bones, supports the trachea and larynx, and connects the ribs to the sternum. It is covered by the perichondrium and calcifies as the individual ages

Question 14

hypoxia

Answer 14

An inadequate amount of oxygen supply to the tissues of the body

Question 15

infarction

Answer 15

An area of dead tissue caused by an inadequate supply of oxygenated blood

Question 16

infiltrate

Answer 16

Accumulation or diffusion of a foreign substance into tissue

Question 17

inspiration

Answer 17

The act of drawing air into the lungs to facilitate the exchange of oxygen for carbon-dioxide that is then exhaled

Question 18

mediastinum

Answer 18

The middle area of the thoracic cavity between the lungs

Question 19

myocardium

Answer 19

The muscle of the heart that is composed of cardiac muscle cells that contract and force blood from the heart’s chambers

Question 20

oxygenated

Answer 20

Saturated with oxygen

Question 21

patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)

Answer 21

Congenital defect that involves failure of the closure of the ductus arteriosus during fetal life

Question 22

perfusion

Answer 22

Intentional introduction of drugs and/or fluids into the bloodstream such as during open heart surgery

Question 23

pericardium

Answer 23

A thin serous sac that surrounds the heart; it consists of the serous pericardium and fibrous pericardium

Question 24

pleura

Answer 24

A thin serous membrane that encloses the lung, composed of a single layer of mesothelial cells on top of a thin layer of connective tissue; it is divided into the visceral and parietal pleural layers

Question 25

prolapse

Answer 25

To fall or slip out of normal anatomical position

Question 26

regurgitation

Answer 26

Backward flow of fluid, in the opposite of a normal direction

Question 27

stent

Answer 27

(1) Device inserted to support luminous structures while still allowing passage of fluid; (2) external device applied to secure a skin graft or dressing in place

Question 28

systole

Answer 28

Represents the contraction phase of the cardiac cycle

Question 29

tachycardia

Answer 29

Fast heart rate that is greater than 100 beats per minute

Question 30

tamponade

Answer 30

Pathological compression of an anatomical part

Question 31

ventricles

Answer 31

The lower chambers of the heart that receive blood from the atria