Circulatory System Flashcards
The pressure in the aorta against which the left ventricle must pump blood.
afterload
Leukocytes that lack granules.
agranulocytes
The smallest of plasma proteins; they make up about 60% of these proteins by weight.
albumens
A lower than normal hemoglobin or erythrocyte level.
anemia
One of the two branches of the left main coronary artery.
anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery
Proteins secreted by certain immune cells that react against foreign antigens in the body by binding to the antigens, making them more visible to the immune system.
antibodies
Substances or molecules that, when taken into the body, stimulate immune system response and cause formation of specific protective proteins called antibodies.
antigens
The principle artery leaving the left side of the heart and carrying freshly oxygenated blood to the body; the largest artery in the body.
aorta
One of the three describe portions of the aorta; the section of the aorta between the ascending and descending portions that give rise to the right brachiocephalic (innominate), left common carotid, and left subclavian arteries.
aortic arch
the semilunar valve that regulates blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta.
aortic valve
The semilunar valve that regulates blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta.
aortic valve
The muscular, thick-walled blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.
arteries
Subdivisions of arteries that are thinner and have muscles in their walls that are innervated by the sympathetic nervous system.
arterioles
A pathologic condition in which the arterial walls become thickened and inelastic.
arteriosclerosis
The first of three portions of the aorta originates from the left ventricle and gives rise to two branches, the right and left main coronary arteries.
ascending aorta
A disorder characterized by the formation of plaques of material, mostly lipids and cholesterol, on the inner arterial walls.
atherosclerosis
The upper chambers of the heart; they receive blood returning to the heart.
atria
A specialized structure located in the AV junction that slow conduction through the AV junction.
Atrioventricular (AV) node
The mitral and tricuspid valves through which blood flows from the atria to the ventricles.
atrioventricular valves
A state in which the cardiac cells are at rest, waiting for the generation of a spontaneous impulse from within.
automaticity
The vein that is formed from the combination of the basilic and cephalic veins; it drains into the subclavian vein.
axillary vein
Lymphocytes that produce and secrete antibodies that bind and destroy foreign antigens.
B-cells
Receptors in the blood vessels, kidneys, brain, and heart that respond to changes in pressure in the heart or main arteries to help maintain homeostasis.
baroreceptors
The artery that is formed when the left and right vertebral arteries unite after entering the brain through the foramen magnum.
basilar artery
One of the two major veins of the arm; it combines with the cephalic vein to form the axillary vein.
basilic vein
White blood cells that work to produce chemical mediators during an immune response; make up approximately 1% of leukocytes.
basophils
Stimulation of beta receptors that result in increased inotropic, dromotrophic, and chronotropic states.
beta effect
A waste product of red blood cell destruction that undergoes further metabolism in the liver.
bilirubin
The fluid tissue that is pumped by the heart through the arteries, veins, and capillaries and consists of plasma and formed elements or cells, such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
blood
An abnormal whooshing sound indicating turbulent blood flow within a narrowed blood vessel; usually heard in the carotid arteries.
bruit
The portion of the electric conduction system in the inter-ventricular septum that conducts the depolarizing impulse from the atrioventricular junction to the right and left bundle branches.
bundle of HIS
Thin walled vessels that allow oxygen and nutrients out into cells and allow carbon dioxide and waste products to pass from the cells into the vascular system.
capillaries
A group of complex electrical tissues within the heart that initiate and transmit stimuli that result in contractions of myocardial tissue.
cardiac conduction system
A heartbeat; each cardiac cycle consists of ventricular contraction (Systole) and relaxation (diastole).
cardiac cycle
The amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute, calculated by multiplying the stroke volume by the heart rate per minute.
cardiac output
Restriction of cardiac contraction, failing cardiac output, and shock, caused by the accumulation of fluid or blood in the pericardium.
cardiac temponade
Veins that branch out and drain blood from the myocardial capillaries to join the coronary sinus.
cardiac veins
The point of division at which the common carotid artery branches at the angle of the mandible into the internal and external carotid arteries.
carotid bifurcation
An opening in the cranial vault through which the carotid arteries enter.
carotid canals
A slight dilation in the carotid bifurcation that contains structures that are important in the regulation of blood pressure.
carotid sinus
One of the two major veins of the arm that combine to form the axillary vein.
cephalic vein
The part of the brain that is located dorsal to the pons and is responsible for coordination and balance.
cerbellum
The arteries that supply blood to large portions of the cerebral cortex of the brain.
cerebral arteries
Sense organs that monitor the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide and the pH of the cerebrospinal fluid and blood and provide feedback to the respiratory centers to modify the rate and depth of breathing based on the body’s needs at any given time.
chemoreceptors
Thin bands of fibrous tissue that attach to the valves in the heart and prevent them from inverting.
chordae tendoneae
The effect on the rate of contraction of the heart.
chronotropic effect
An interconnection of the anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries and the anterior communicating artery, which forms an important source of collateral circulation to the brain.
circle of Willis
The complex arrangement of tubes, including the arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins that move blood, oxygen, nutrients, carbon dioxide, and cellular waste throughout the body.
circulatory system
One of the two branches of the left main coronary artery.
circumflex coronary artery.
The formation of a blood clot.
coagulation
The ability of cardiac cells to conduct electrical impulses.
conductivity
The strength of heart muscle contraction.
contractility
Arteries that arise from the aorta shortly after it leaves the left ventricle and supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients..
coronary arteries
The condition that results when either atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis is present in the arterial walls of the coronary arteries.
coronary artery disease
Veins that collect blood that is returning from the walls of the heart.
coronary sinus
The flaps that comprise the heart valves.
cusps
The rapid movement of electrolytes across a cell membrane that changes the cell’s overall charge. This rapid shifting of electrolytes and cellular charges is the main catalyst for muscle contractions and neural transmissions.
depolarization
One of the three porttions of the aorta; it is the longest portion and extends through the thorax and abdomen into the pelvis.
descending aorta
A process whereby leukocytes leave blood vessels to move toward tissue where they are needed most.
diapedesis
A continuation of the anterior tibial artery at the foot.
dorsalis pedis artery
Related to the effect of the heart’s conduction rate.
dromotropic effect
The percentage of blood that leaves the heart each time it contracts.
ejection fraction
An electrical charge difference that is created by the difference in sodium and potassium concentration across the cell membrane at any given instant.
electrical potential
A graphic recording of the electrical activity of the heart.
electrocardiogram (ECG)
A piece of clot that travels from one part of the body to another, potentially becoming an obstruction.
embolus
Infection of a heart valve
endocarditis
White blood cells with a major role in allergic reactions and bronchoconstriction during an asthma attack; make up approximately 1% to 3% of leukocytes.
eosinophils
The layer of the serous pericardium that lies closely against the heart; also called the viseral pericardium.
epicardium.
A hormone produced by the adrenal medulla that has a vital role in the function of the sympathetic nervous system.
epinephrine
A serious condition that results when a pregnant woman’s blood type is incompatible with the fetus’ blood type and antibodies from the mother enter the fetal circulation and destroy the fetus’ red blood cells.
erythroblastosis fetalis
Disk-shaped cells that carry oxygen to the tissues; also known as red blood cells.
erythrocytes
The process by which red blood cells are made.
erythropoiesis
A property of cardiac cells that provides the cells with the ability to respond to electrical impulses.
exitability
The principle arteries of the thigh, and continuation of the external iliac artery. They supply circulation to the thigh, external genetalia, anterior abdominal wall, and knee.
femoral arteries
A continuation of the saphenous vein that drains into external iliac vein.
femoral vein
A white insoluble protein formed from fibrinogen in the clotting process.
fibrin
A plasma protein that is important for blood coagulation.
fibrinogen
An opening between the two atria that is present in the fetus but closes shortly after birth.
foramen ovale
A depression between the right and left atria that indicates where the foramen ovale had been located in the fetus.
fossa ovalis
