L1 Introduction to Cardiovascular Anatomy Flashcards
what is the basic function of the CVS?
maintain internal environment ie homeostasis.
Deliver products for respiration and cellular activity = O2 and Nutrients (conducting)
Remove by-products of cellular activity = CO2 and Waste (exchange)
also allows transportation of endocrine system around the body
what is the order in which blood travels through the vessels from heart, back to the heart?
aorta artery arteriole (in organ) capillaries (in organ) venules (in organ) vein superior/inferior vena cava
what are the two circulatory systems?
systemic - to the body. left ventricle to the right atrium
pulmonary - to the lungs. right ventricle to the left atrium
describe the circulation of blood throughout the heart
superior/inferior vena cava
- -> right atrium
- -> right ventricle
- -> pulmonary trunk
- -> right and left pulmonary arteries
- -> lungs
- -> pulmonary veins
- -> left atrium
- -> left ventricle
- -> body
- -> SVC/IVC
what are the functions of the papillary muscles and chordae tendinae?
papillary muscles attached to cusps of valve by chordae tendinae. They prevent the leaflets from herniating or flapping back into the atria due to the pressure of the blood pushing through
what are the functions of the pectinate muscles?
for contraction and to prevent over distension when heart fills
what are the 3 parts of the aorta? what do they branch to supply?
ascending - branches to give left and right coronary arteries
arch - branches emerge to supply head via carotid arteries and upper limb via subclavian arteries (which gives off internal thoracic arteries)
descending - many branches for the body
what are the branches of the left coronary artery?
circumflex artery
left marginal artery
anterior interventricular artery aka left anterior descending
what are the branches of the right coronary artery?
right marginal artery
posterior interventricular artery
coronary arteries are functional end arteries. what does this mean and why is it important?
there is little overlap between territories of distribution so sudden blockage may lead to ischaemia and lead to myocardial infarction
what are the branches of the descending aorta (before the diaphragm)?
superior intercostal deep cervical costocervical trunk coronary bronchial medistinal branches oesophageal pericardial branches posterior intercostal subcostal
how can branches of the descending aorta be described?
Ventral, unpaired arteries to gastrointestinal tract (e.g.: coeliac trunk)
Paired, arteries to paired internal organs (e.g.: kidneys/gonads)
Paired, segmental arteries to body wall (e.g.: intercostal arteries)
what is coarctation of the aorta and what does it lead to?
Abnormal narrowing (stenosis)
Decreases blood flow to inferior body
Collateral circulation (smaller vessels route) can develop between proximal and distal aorta via (posterior) intercostal arteries and internal thoracic arteries.
what is anastamosis?
two vessels which supply the same area
at which vertebral level does the aorta pass through the diaphragm and at which level does it divide?
passes through at T12 (aortic hiatus)
divides at L4
