Circulatory System Flashcards
Atrium
One of the two thin-walled upper chambers of the heart. Plural is atria
Blood pressure
Force exerted by blood against vessel walls
Cholesterol
A lipid found in animal fat and most animal tissue. Synthesized by the liver; also part of many foods.
Closed circulatory system
A transport system in which the fluid is confined within vessels.
Ventricle
One of the two thick walled lowed chambers of the heart; the pumping part of the heart.
Pacemaker
A group of specialized cells in the right atrium of the heart that establish the basic rhythm of the heartbeat.
Plaque
The buildup of materials on the inner wall of a blood vessel
Aorta
Main artery that carries blood away from heart into the rest of the body.
Heart rate
The number of times the heart beats in a given unit of time
Pulmonary circulation
The vessels that transport blood from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart.
Systemic circulation
Same as pulmonary
Pulse
The rhythmic expansion and recoil of arteries; initiated by the contractions of the ventricles of the heart.
Atherosclerosis
Thickening or hardening of the arteries
Vena Cava
A large vein that carries blood to the heart from other areas of the body.
Hypertension
Blood pressure that is higher than normal
