Chapter 3 - The Cardiorespiratory System Flashcards
MEDIASTINUM
The space in the chest between the lungs that contains all the interanl organs of the chest except the lungs.
HEART
A hollow muscular organ that pumps a circulation of blood through the body by means of rhythmic contraction.
SINOATRIAL (SA) NODE
A specialized area of cardia tissue, located in the right atrium of the heart, which initiates the electrical impulses that determine the heart rate; often termed the pacemaker for the heart.
ATRIOVENTRICULAR (AV) NODE
A small mass of specialized cardiac muscle fibers located in the wall of the right atrium of the heart, that receives heartbeat impulses from the sinoatrial node and directs them to the walls of the ventricles.
ATRIUM
The superior chamber of the heart that receives blood from the veins and forces it into the ventricles.
VENTRICLE
The inferior chamber of the heart that receives blood from the corresponding atrium and, in turn, forces blood in the arteries.
STROKE VOLUME
The amount of blood pumped out of the heart with each contraction.
HEART RATE (HR)
The rate at which the heart pumps.
CARDIAC INPUT (Q)
Heart rate x stroke volume, the overall performance of the heart.
BLOOD
Fluid that circulates in the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins, carries nutrients and oxygen to all parts of the body, and also rids the body of waste products.
BLOOD VESSELS
Network of hollow tubes that circulates blood throughout the whole body.
ARTERIES
Vessels that transport blood away from the heart.
CAPILLARIES
The smallest blood vessels, and the site of exchange of chemicals and water between the blood and the tissues.
VEINS
Vessels that transport blood from the capillaries toward the heart.
ARTERIOLES
Small terminal branches of an artery, which end in capillaries.