Lesson 3 (Chapter 2: Structures of the Cardiovascular System) Flashcards
Cardiovascular system
Made up of the heart and the body’s blood-transporting network of arteries, veins, and smaller vessels.
Pericardium
The double-walled membranous sac that surrounds the heart.
Epicardium
The outermost layer. It is a thin, transparent layer that protects the inner heart layers. Blood vessels that nourish the heart itself are nestled within the epicardium.
Myocardium
The middle and thickest layer. It consists of specialized cardiac muscle tissue that stimulates contractions to pump blood through the blood vessels. Coronary arteries supply the oxygen-rich blood to the myocardium to be pumped out to the body.
Endocardium
The innermost layer of the heart. It is a thin, smooth membrane that lines the four chambers and valves of the heart.
Mitral or bicuspid
The valve is between the left atrium and the left ventricle and consists of two cusps.
Tricuspid
The between the right atrium and the right ventricle and consists of three cusps.
Aortic
The valve is between the left ventricle and the aorta and consists of three cusps.
Pulmonary
The valve is between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery and consists of three cusps.
Pulmonary circulation
Takes the deoxygenated blood into the right side of the heart, which pumps it to the lungs to pick up oxygen.
Systemic circulation
Returns the oxygenated blood to the left side of the heart, which pumps it to all of the tissues of the body.
Arteries
Carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart.
Arterioles
Branch off from the ends of arteries and carry blood to capillaries.
Capillaries
The smallest and thinnest of the blood vessels and the most common. Capillaries connect to arterioles on one end and venules on the other. Capillaries carry blood very close to the cells in order to exchange gases, nutrients, and waste products.
Venules
The small vessels that pick up blood from the capillaries and deposit it into larger veins for transport back to the heart.
Veins
Carry oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs to receive oxygen.
Aorta
The largest artery in the body and carries blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. It runs from the heart through the center of the chest and abdomen.
Superior Vena Cava
The large vein that brings blood from the head and arms into the heart.
Inferior Vena Cava
The large vein that brings blood from the abdomen and legs into the heart.
Abdominal aorta
A segment of the aorta located in the abdominal cavity.
Carotid arteries
Two large blood vessels located one on each side of the neck. They supply the brain and head with blood.
