Med Term 5 Flashcards
consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood
cardiovascular system
means heart
cardi/o
means blood vessels
vascul
a hollow, muscular organ located between the lungs. A very effective pump that furnishes the power to maintain blood flow throughout the body
heart
the double-walled membranous sac that encloses the heart
pericardium, aka pericardial sac
the external layer of the heart and the inner layer of the pericardium
epicardium
means upon
epi-
the middle and thickest of the heart’s three layers and consists of specialized cardiac muscle tissue
myocardium, aka myocardial muscle
consists of epithelial tissue and is the inner lining of the heart
endocardium
means within
endo-
supply oxygen-rich blood to the myocardium
coronary arteries
the two upper chambers of the heart. Receive blood, all blood vessels coming into the heart enter here
atria
the two lower chambers of the heart. pumping chambers, and all blood vessels leaving the heart emerge from here
ventricles
means ventricle
ventricul
valve that controls the opening between the right atrium and the right ventricle
tricuspid valve
valve located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery
pulmonary semilunar valve
valve located between the left atrium and left ventricle
mitral valve, aka bicuspid valve
valve located between the left ventricle and the aorta
aortic semilunar valve
receives oxygen-poor blood from all tissues, except the lungs, through the superior and inferior venae cavae
right atrium
pumps the oxygen-poor blood through the pulmonary semilunar valve and into the pulmonary artery, which carries it to the lungs
right ventricle
receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs through the four pulmonary veins, where blood then flows out through the mitral valve, to the left ventricle
left atrium
receives oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium, then out the aortic semilunar valve and into the aorta
left ventricle
the flow of blood only between the heart and lungs
pulmonary circulation
carry deoxygenated blood out of the right ventricle and into the lungs
pulmonary arteries
carry the oxygenated blood from the lungs into the left atrium of the heart
pulmonary veins
includes the flow of blood to all parts of the body except the lungs
systemic circulation
located in the posterior wall of the right atrium near the entrance of the superior vena cava, establishes basic rhythm and rate of heart beat
sinoatrial node, aka SA node
located on the floor of the right atrium near the interatrial septum, and receives impulses from the SA node
atrioventricular node
a group of fibers located within the interventricular septum that receive impulses from the AV node, and carry them to ensure the sequence of heart contractions
bundle of His (HISS)
specialized conductive fibers located within the walls of the ventricles that relay the electrical impulses to the cells of the ventricles, causing them to contract
Purkinje fibers
large blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart to all regions of the body
arteries
the largest blood vessel in the body and the main trunk of the arterial system and begins from the left ventricle of the heart
aorta
the major arteries that carry blood upward to the head
carotid arteries
smaller, thinner branches of arteries that carry blood to the capillaries
arterioles
form a low-pressure collecting system to return oxygen-poor blood to the heart
veins
the smallest veins that join to form the larger veins
venules
the two largest veins in the body
venae cavae
the smallest blood vessels in the body, only one epithelial cell in thickness
capillaries
the rhythmic pressure against the walls of an artery caused by the contraction of the heart
pulse
the measurement of the amount of systolic and diastolic pressure exerted against the walls of the arteries
blood pressure
the highest pressure against the walls of an artery, which occurs when the ventricles contract
systolic pressure
the lowest pressure against the walls of an artery, which occurs when the ventricles are relaxed
diastolic pressure
the fluid tissue in the body
blood
a straw-colored fluid that contains nutrients, hormones, and waste products.
plasma
the clotting proteins found in plasma
fibrinogen and prothrombin
plasma fluid after the blood cells and the clotting proteins have been removed
serum
mature red blood cells produced by the red bone marrow
erythrocytes, aka red blood cells
the iron-containing pigment of the erythrocytes
hemoglobin
the blood cells involved in defending the body against infective organisms and foreign substances
leukocytes, aka white blood cells
the most common type of WBC, formed in red bone marrow
neutrophils
the least common type of WBC, formed in red bone marrow
basophils
destroy parasitic organisms and play a major role in allergic reactions, formed in red bone marrow and then migrate to tissues throughout the body
eosinophils
these identify foreign substances and germs in the body and produce antibodies that specifically target them
lymphocytes
provide immunological defenses against many infectious organisms through phagocytosis
monocytes
the smallest formed elements of the blood
thrombocytes, aka platelets
means clot
thromb/o
classified according to the presence or absence of certain antigens
blood types
four major blood types
A, AB, B, O
refers to the presence, or absence of the Rh antigen on red blood cells
Rh factor
gases that are normally dissolved in the liquid portion of blood
blood gases
a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating abnormalities, diseases, and disorders of the heart
cardiologist
a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating abnormalities, diseases, and disorders of the blood and blood forming tissues
hematologist
means blood
hemat, -emia
a physician who specializes in the diagnosis, medical management, and surgical treatment of disorders of the blood vessels
vascular surgeon
structural abnormalities caused by the failure of the heart to develop normally before birth
congenital heart defects
atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries that reduces the blood supply to the heart muscle
coronary artery disease
hardening and narrowing of the arteries caused by a buildup of cholesterol plaque on the interior walls of the arteries
atherosclerosis
a fatty deposit that is similar to the buildup of rust inside a pipe, found within the lumen of an artery
plaque
a characteristic of atherosclerosis, and is a deposit of plaque on or within the arterial wall
atheroma
a group of cardiac disabilities resulting from an insufficient supply of oxygenated blood to the heart
ischemic heart disease
a condition in which there is an insufficient oxygen supply due to a restricted blood flow by to a part of the body
ischemia
means to hold back
isch
a condition of episodes of severe chestpain due to inadequate blood flow to the myocardium
angina
the occlusion of one or more coronary arteries caused by plaque buildup
myocardial infarction, aka heart attack
occurs most commonly in the elderly, and is a chronic condition in which the heart is unable to pump out all the blood that it receives
heart failure, aka congestive heart failure
the abnormal enlargement of the heart that is frequently associated with heart failure when the heart enlarges in an effort to compensate for the loss of its pumping ability
cardiomegaly
an inflammation of the heart
carditis
means heart
card/o
an inflammation of the inner lining of the heart
endocarditis
means within
endo-
an inflammation of the lining or valves of the heart caused by the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream
bacterial endocarditis
an inflammation of the myocardium, possibly caused by a viral infection
myocarditis
an inflammation of the pericardium that causes an accumulation of fluid within the pericardial sac
pericarditis
the term used to describe all diseases of the heart muscle
cardiomyopathy
an abnormal sound heard when listening to the heart or neighboring large blood vessels, most often caused by defective heart valves
heart murmur
an inflammation of a heart valve
valvulitis
means valve
valvul
the abnormal protrusion of a heart valve that results in the inability of the valve to close completely
valvular prolapse
means the falling or dropping down of an organ or internal part
prolapse
a condition in which there is narrowing, stiffening, thickening, or blockage of one or more valves of the heart
valvular stenosis
an event in which the heart abruptly stops or develops a very abnormal arrhythmia that prevents it from pumping blood
cardiac arrest
results if treatment is not provided within a few minutes of cardiac arrest
sudden cardiac death
describes an abnormality, or the loss of the normal rhythm, of the heartbeat
arrhythmia
an abnormally slow resting heart rate, less than 60 bpm
bradycardia
an abnormally rapid resting heart rate, greater than 100 bpm
tachycardia
a pounding or racing heart with or without irregularity in rhythm
palpitation
occurs when the normal rhythmic contractions of the atria are replaced by rapid irregular twitching of the muscular heart wall
atrial fibrillation, aka A fib
means fast, uncontrolled heart beat
fibrillation
an episode that begins and ends abruptly during which there are very rapid and regular heartbeats that originate in the atrium
paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, aka PAT
the rapid, irregular, and useless contractions of the ventricles
ventricular fibrillation, aka V fib
a very rapid heart beat that begins within the ventricles
ventricular tachycardia, aka V tach
the inflammation of a blood or lymph vessel
angiitis
means vessel
angi/o
the abnormal narrowing of a blood vessel
angiostenosis
a benign tumor made up of newly formed blood vessels
hemangioma
a deficiency of blood passing through an organ or body part
hypoperfusion
a form of angiitis involving several medium and small arteries at the same time
polyarteritis, aka polyarteritis nodosa
refers to disorders of the blood vessels located outside the heart and brain
peripheral vascular disease
an example of a peripheral vascular disease caused by atherosclerosis
peripheral arterial occlusive disease, aka peripheral artery disease
a peripheral arterial occlusive disease in which intermittent attacks are triggered by cold or stress
Raynaud’s phenomenon
a localized weak spot, or balloon-like enlargement, of the wall of an artery
aneurysm
any of a group of diseases characterized by thickening and the loss of elasticity of arterial walls
arteriosclerosis
a condition in which venous circulation is inadequate due to partial vein blockage or leakage of venous valves
chronic venous insufficiency, aka venous insufficiency
the inflammation of a vein
phlebitis
means vein
phleb
abnormally swollen veins, usually occurring in the superficial veins of the legs
varicose veins
the abnormal condition of having a thrombus
thrombosis
means clot
thromb
a blood clot attached to the interior wall of an artery or vein
thrombus
the blocking of an artery by a thrombus
thrombotic occlusion
damage to the heart muscle caused by a thrombus blocking a coronary artery
coronary thrombosis
means crown
coron
the condition of having a thrombus attached to the wall of a deep vein
deep vein thrombosis (DVT), aka deep venous thrombosis
the sudden blockage of a blood vessel by an embolus
embolism
means something inserted
embol
means condition
-ism
a foreign object, such as a blood clot, quantity of air or gas, or a bit of tissue or tumor that is circulating in the blood
embolus
any pathologic condition of the cellular elements of the blood
blood dyscrasia
means a mixture or blending
-crasia
a genetic disorder in which the intestines absorb too much iron
hemochromatosis, aka iron overload disease
means color
chromat
describes any situation in which the total number of leukocytes in the circulating blood is less than normal
leukopenia
means deficiency
-penia
an abnormal increase in the number of red cells in the blood due to excess production of these cells by the bone marrow
polycythemia
a systemic condition caused by the spread of microorganisms and their toxins via the circulating blood
septicemia, aka blood poisoning
a condition in which there is an abnormally small number of platelets circulating in the blood
thrombocytopenia
an abnormal increase in the number of platelets in the circulating blood
thrombocytosis
the loss of a large amount of blood in a short time
hemorrhage
a serious, and potentially fatal, complication of a blood transfusion in which a severe immune response occurs because the patient’s blood and the donated blood do not match
transfusion reaction
a fatty substance that travels through the blood and is found in all parts of the body
cholesteral
the general term used to describe elevated levels of cholesterol and other fatty substances in the blood
hyperlipidemia, aka hyperlipemia
means fat
lipid
a group of bone marrow disorders that are characterized by the insufficient production of one or more types of blood cells due to dysfunction of the bone marrow
myelodysplastic syndrome, aka preleukemia
a type of cancer characterized by a progressive increase in the number of abnormal leukocytes
leukemia
a lower than normal number of erythrocytes in the blood
anemia
without or less than
an-
characterized by an absence of all formed blood elements caused by the failure of blood cell production in the bone marrow
aplastic anemia
means without
a-
means growth
plast
a condition of an inadequate number of circulating red blood cells due to the premature destruction of them by the spleen
hemolytic anemia
means to destroy
-lytic
the most common form of aneamia, where blood cannot carry oxygen effectively due to low amounts of iron
iron-deficiency anemia
a blood disorder characterized by anemia in which the red blood cells are larger than normal
megaloblastic anemia
caused by a lack of the protein intrinsic factor that helps the body absorb vitamin B12 from the gastrointestinal tract
pernicious anemia
a genetic disorder that causes abnormal hemoglobin, resulting in some red blood cells assuming an abnormal sickle shape
sickle cell anemia
an inherited blood disorder that causes mild or severe anemia due to reduced hemoglobin and fewer red blood cells than normal
thalassemia
the elevation of arterial blood pressure to a level that is likely to cause damage to the cardiovascular system
hypertension, aka high blood pressure
lower than normal arterial blood pressure
hypotension
low blood pressure that occurs upon standing up
orthostatic hypotension, aka postural hypotension
a radiographic study of the blood vessels after the injection of a contrast medium
angiography
a diagnostic procedure in which a catheter is passed into a fein or artery and then guided into the heart
cardiac catheterization
combines angiography with computerized components to clarify the view of the area of interest by removing the soft tissue and bones from the images
digital subtraction angiography
a diagnostic procedure to image the structures of the blood vessels and the flow of blood through the vessels
duplex ultrasound
a radiographic test that provides an image of the leg veins after a contrast dye is injected into a vein in the patient’s foot
phlebography, aka venography
measured in terms of milligrams per deciliter of blood
total cholesterol
referred to as bad cholesterol because excess quantities of it contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL)
referred to as good cholesterol because it carries unneeded cholesterol back to the liver for processing and does not contribute to plaque buildup
high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL)
combinations of fatty acids attached to glycerol that are also found normally in the blood in limited quantities
triglycerides
the noninvasive process of recording the electrical activity of the myocardium
electrocardiography
means electric
electr/o
a record of the electrical activity of the myocardium
electrocardiogram
a portable electrocardiograph that is worn by an ambulatory patient to continuously monitor the heart rates and rhythms over a 24-hour period
Holter monitor
performed to assess cardiovascular health and function during and after stress (on a treadmill)
stress test
performed to evaluate how well blood flows through the coronary arteries of the heart muscle during exercise
thallium stress test
a medication administered to lower blood pressure
antihypertensive
blocks the action of the enzyme that causes the blood vessels to contract resulting in hypertension
ACE inhibitor
reduces the workload of the heart by slowing the rate of the heart beat
beta-blocker
cause the heart and blood vessels to relax by decreasing the movement of calcium into the cells of these structures
calcium channel blocker agents
administered to stimulate the kidneys to increase the secretion of urine to rid the body of excess sodium and water
diuretic
a medication administered to control irregularities of the heartbeat
antiarrhythmic
slows coagulation and prevents new clots from forming
anticoagulant
may be recommended to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke by slightly reducing the ability of the blood to clot
aspirin
used to combat hyperlipidemia by reducing the undesirable cholesterol levels in the blood
cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as statins
an anticoagulant administered to prevent blood clots from forming or growing larger
Coumadin, warfarin
strengthens the contraction of the heart muscle, slows the heart rate, and helps eliminate fluid from body tissues
digitalis, aka digoxin
dissolves or causes a thrombus to break up
thrombolytic, aka clot-busting drug
a thrombolytic that is administered to some patients having a heart attack or stroke
tissue plasminogen activator
causes blood vessels to narrow
vasoconstrictor
causes blood vessels to expand
vasodilator
a vasodilator that is prescribed to prevent or relieve the pain of angina by dilating the blood vessels to the heart
nitroglycerin
a procedure in which a small balloon on the end of a catheter is used to open a partially blocked coronary artery by flattening the plaque deposit and stretching the lumen
percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), aka angioplasty or balloon angioplasty
a wire-mesh tube that is commonly placed after the artery has been opened, providing support to the artery wall
stent
the condition when an artery that has been opened by angioplasty closes again
restenosis
the surgical removal of plaque buildup from the interior of an artery
atherectomy
the surgical removal of the lining of a portion of a clogged carotid artery leading to the brain
carotid endarterectomy
a surgery which requires opening the chest, implanting a piece of vein from the leg or chest on the heart to replace a blocked coronary artery and to improve the flow of blood to the heart
coronary artery bypass graft, aka bypass surgery
an alternative technique for some bypass patients that is performed with the aid of a fiber optic camera through small openings between the ribs
minimally invasive coronary artery bypass, aka keyhole bypass or buttonhole bypass
the use of electrical shock to restore the heart’s normal rhythm
defibrillation, aka carioversion
a defibrillator designed for use by nonprofessionals in emergency situations when defib is required
automated external defibrillator (AED)
used primarily as treatment for bradycardia or atrial fibrillation, attached externally or implanted under the skin with connections leading to the heart to regulate rhythm
artificial pacemaker
a double-action pacemaker, regulating rhythm, and defibrillates if a dangerous disruption occurs
implantable cardioverter defibrillator
the surgical repair or replacement of a heart valve
valvoplasty, aka valvuloplasty
means valve
valv/o
an emergency procedure for life support consisting of artificial respiration and manual external cardiac compression
cardiopulmonary resuscitation, aka CPR
the surgical removal of an aneurysm
aneurysmectomy
aneurysm
aneurysm/o
the surgical suturing of an aneurysm
aneurysmorrhaphy
the surgical removal of part of an artery
arteriectomy
to stop or control bleeding
hemostasis
means stopping or controlling
-stasis
the removal of whole blood from the body and separation of the blood’s cellular elements
plasmapheresis
