Circulatory System Flashcards
Arteries
The larger vessels that carry blood away from the heart
Arterioles
The smaller blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart
Aorta
The main artery that leaves the heart and goes to the body
Veins
The larger vessels that carry blood to the heart
Venules
The smaller vessels that carry blood to the heart
Superior & Inferior Vena Cava
The largest veins that return blood to the heart
Capillaries
Tiny, fragile vessels that connect arterioles and venules
Where does the exchange of oxygen/carbon and nutrient waste take place?
In the capillaries
Atrium
The upper chamber of the heart where blood returns through to the heart
Where does the left atrium receive blood from?
The lungs
Where does the right atrium receive blood from?
the body
Where does blood from the atrium travel to?
The ventricles
Ventricle
Lower chamber of the heart, where blood exits
Where does the left ventricle pump blood to?
The body (the left ventricle is the high pressure power house)
Where does the right ventricle pump blood to?
The heart (the right ventricle is the low-pressure)
Erythrocytes
Red blood cells which contain hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen
Leukocytes
White blood cells, these play an important role in the body’s immune response
Platelets
Tiny disc shapes bodies that play an important role in the initial formation of blood clots
Plasma
The liquid portion of blood that carries water, proteins, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and wastes.
