Compendium 6. The Cardiac System

Question 1

What are 4 main functions of the cardiovascular system?

Answer 1

• Transportation of fluids, nutrients and wastes.
• Exchange of materials.
• Regulation of body temp.
• Plays a role in the immune response.

Question 2

What are 3 functions of the heart?

Answer 2

• Generates blood pressure.
• Ensures one-way blood flow.
• Regulates blood supply.

Question 3

Label a diagram of the heart.

Answer 3

Actually do it!

Question 4

Describe the apex and base of the heart.

Answer 4

The apex - The most inferior part of the heart, the ‘point’.

The base - The most superior part of the heart.

Question 5

Describe the epicardium, myocardium and the endocardium.

Answer 5

Epicardium: Serous membrane, the smooth outer surface of the heart.
Myocardium: The middle layer composed of cardiac muscle cells that have the ability to contract.
Endocardium: Smooth inner surface of the heart chamber.

Question 6

What are pectinate muscles?

Answer 6

The muscular ridges in the atrium.

Question 7

What are trabeculae carnae?

Answer 7

The muscular ridges and columns on the inside walls of ventricles that move and mix the blood.

Question 8

What blood vessels enter the right atrium?

Answer 8

• Superior vena cava
• Inferior vena cava
• Coronary sinus

Question 9

What blood vessels exist the right ventricle?

Answer 9

• Pulmonary arteries

Question 10

What blood vessels enter the left atrium?

Answer 10

• Pulmonary veins

Question 11

What blood vessels exist the left ventricle?

Answer 11

• The aorta

Question 12

What is the difference between veins and arteries?

Answer 12

Veins: Carry blood towards the heart

Arteries: Carry blood away from the heart

Question 13

What are the different types of valves in the heart?

Answer 13

Atrioventricular canals/valves: The valves between the atrium and it’s ventricle.
Right - Tricuspid
Left - Bicuspid

Semilunar valves: The valves between the ventricle and arteries

Question 14

Describe the characteristics of arteries

Answer 14

• Elastic
• Muscular
• Carries blood under pressure

Question 15

Describe the characteristics of veins

Answer 15

• Thinner walls than arteries

- Contains valves to prevent back flow

Question 16

What are the three layers of walls within blood vessels?

Answer 16

Tunica intima: The endothelium

Tunica media: The smooth muscles arranged circularly around the blood vessel

Tunica externa (adventitia): The connective tissue

Question 17

What are 4 characteristics of red blood cells?

Answer 17

• NO nucleus
• Bi-concave shape to increase oxygen carrying capacity?
• Contain haemoglobin to carry oxygen
• Have limited life expectancy

Question 18

Explain how the lymphatic system plays a role in circulation.

Answer 18

90 per cent of the fluid that moves out of the capillaries into the interstitial space returns to the capillaries.

10 per cent of the fluid that remains in the tissues is picked up by the lymphatic system and will eventually re-enter the circulatory system just above the superior vena cava.

Question 19

What is edema?

Answer 19

Edema is swelling caused by excess fluid accumulation in body tissues.