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T2-SC > T2-Systems_Cardiovascular System Pathology > Flashcards

T2-Systems_Cardiovascular System Pathology Flashcards

1
Q

What is the main job of the circulatory system?

A

To get nutrients and oxygen-rich blood to all the cells in the body.

Also:

  • Transports waste products from tissues to kidneys and excretory organs
  • Circulates electrolytes and hormones needed to regulate body functions
  • Plays role in heart regulation and protection
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2
Q

What are the three main parts of the circulatory system?

A

The heart, blood vessels and blood. (Sometimes the lymph & lymph vessels)

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3
Q

What are some characteristics of the heart?

A

Size of a fist, located in thorax, surrounded by lungs
The base points towards the right shoulder, below rib 2
The apex is directed towards the left hip and rests on diaphragm

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4
Q

What are the three layers of the heart?

A

Endocardium: Most internal layer; sheet of endothelium; continuous with blood vessels
Myocardium: The heart/cardiac contractile muscle; Most often damaged
Pericardium: Double sac of serous membrane
= visceral pericardium - attaches to the external surface of the heart; part of the heart wall
= parietal pericardium - loose membrane that protects the heart and anchors it to surrounding structures

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5
Q

What are the chambers of the heart?

A

Atriums (2): the receiving chambers; not involved in pumping action
Ventricles (2): discharging chambers

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6
Q

What are the valves of the heart?

A

Semilunar valves: Structures that prevent backflow of blood from arteries to ventricles (flaps are shaped like halfmoons)
Atroventricular valves: Between atria and ventricles

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7
Q

What are the differences between bicuspid and tricuspid valves?

A

Bicuspid (aka mitral): found between the left atrium and left ventricle
Tricuspid: found between the right atrium and right ventricle

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8
Q

What are the two systems that control/regulate the heart?

A

1- Nerves of the autonomic nervous system:
SyNS stimulates the SA and AV during times of emotional and physical stress
2- Parasympathetic NS, primarily vagus nerve, slows and steadies the heart

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9
Q

What is angiology?

A

Study of blood vessels.

Mx can maximize drainage (venous) and supply (arterial)

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10
Q

What are the three branches of the blood vessels?

A

Collateral branches: artery continues on but branches off
Terminal branches: final branch of artery, continues on as something new
Anastamosis (branch): two arteries travel in same direction

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11
Q

What is the nodal system?

A

The intrinsic conduction system of the heart. It is made of specialized tissue that is located within the heart which causes heart muscle depolarization in one direction from the atria to the ventricles.

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12
Q

What are the 5 components of the nodal system?

A
  1. Sinuatrial node – anatomical pacemaker
  2. Atrioventricular node
  3. Bundles of his
  4. Bundle of branches
  5. Purkinje fibers
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13
Q

What are some irregularities that can happen to the heart?

A

Fibrillation: Rapid, uncoordinated shuddering of the heart muscle; makes the heart useless as a pump
• Tachycardia:Rapid heart rate (over 100 beats per minute). Prolonged tachycardia can lead to fibrillation.
• Bradycardia:Heart rate that is substantially slower than normal, (less than 60 beats per minute).
• Heart block: Occurs when damage to the AV node prevents the impulse from reaching the ventricles.
• Pacemakers:Damage to the SA nodes results in slower heart rate; artificial pacemaker may be required

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14
Q

What are palpable pulses of the lower limb?

A

Femoral artery (at femoral triangle)
Popliteus
Dorsal pedis
Posterior tibial artery (at medial malleolus)

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15
Q

What are palpable pulses of the upper limb?

A

Subclavian (just above clavicle)
Brachial artery (medial upper arm; anterior distal arm)
Radial artery (wrist and snuffbox)
Ulnar (wrist)

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16
Q

All blood vessels except which ones have walls composed of three layers?

A

Capilliaries

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17
Q

What are blood vessels?

A

Dynamic structures that constrict and relax to adjust blood pressure and blood flow to meet the varying metabolic needs of different tissue types and organ systems.

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18
Q

What does distensible mean?

A

Capable of being distended ~ to become larger and rounder because of pressure from inside

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19
Q

What are the three layers of blood vessels called?

A

Tunica Intima/Interna: This is the innermost, layer of blood vessels; formed by a thin layer of endothelial cells that provides a smooth and slippery inner surface to promote laminar (smooth/fluid) flow of blood.
Tunica Media: The middle layer; consists of primarily elastin and smooth muscle that constricts (and relaxes) to regulate and control the diameter of the vessel (which regulates blood flow and blood pressure)
Tunica Externa/Tunica Adventita: Outermost, external layer, made up of dense, irregular, fibrous and connective tissues

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20
Q

What are capillaries?

A

Single cell-layered vessels designed for exchange of gases, nutrients and waste materials between cells and the bloodstream via the interstitium.

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21
Q

What is blood function?

A

Combo of plasma and cells; specialized bodily fluid that supplies essential substances/ nutrients such as sugar, oxygen and hormones to our cells. Responsible for carrying waste away from those cells to excretory organs such as the kidneys.
Also participates in osmotic regulation of body fluids and regulates our acidity (electrolyte/ pH balance).

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22
Q

What is the composition of blood?

A

Blood is primarily made up of 45% blood cells - which are called Erythrocytes, Thrombocytes (platelets) and white blood cells (Leucocytes) and 55% Plasma.

Plasma is really the solution in which blood cells are suspended.

  • 90% water
  • 8% proteins
  • 2% other stuff
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23
Q

What are the most numerous cells in blood, contain the O2 carrying hemoglobin and are created from bone marrow cells?

A

Red blood cells/Erythrocytes

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24
Q

Which cells initiate blood clotting forming a ‘plug’ to control bleeding after injury to a blood vessel, form a web-like network of fibrin strands that in turn ‘glue’ platelets together and trap other blood cells?

A

Thrombocytes / Platelets

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25
Q

Which cells make up 1% of total blood volume, and play a role in the inflammatory and immune processes of the body?

A

White Blood cells/ Leukocytes

26
Q

What are the plasma proteins and what are their roles?

A

54% albumin: contributes to plasma osmotic pressure and maintenance of blood volume
• 38% globulins: transport bilirubin and steroids, iron and copper, and are an?bodies of immune system
• 7% fibrinogen: is converted to fibrin during the clotting process
• remaining 1%: hormones, enzymes, carrier proteins for lipids (fats)

27
Q

What is the delivery of fresh arterial blood to a tissue in a correct relationship to its current metabolic need?

A

Perfusion

28
Q

What is the inadequate perfusion or ‘holding back’ of blood, caused by deficient oxygen supply to the cells, due to respiratory problems or circulatory obstruction?

A

Ischemia

29
Q

What is cell necrosis (tissue death) as a result of blood supply loss?

A

Infarction:
Occlusion - blockage of blood vessel
Hemorrhagic - blood vessel rupture

30
Q

What is necrosis, or death of tissue. It is usually caused to deficient or absent blood supply?

A

Gangrene:
Wet - Death of a body part accompanied by formation of greyish-white slough
Dry - Arteries, not veins, are obstructed

31
Q

What is an accumulation or attraction of a higher than normal volume of blood into a tissue? Why does it occur?

A

Hyperemia:
- increased need for blood volume ie: heat dissipation, massage, inflammation etc.
- inadequate drainage of tissues, the blood flow pools due to gravity, or tissue restrictions.
Active Hyperemia: (arterial) increased blood inflow
Passive Hyperemia: (venous) decreased blood outflow

32
Q

What is a mass of static blood much like a clot which forms as a result of platelet activation on the inner surface of an unbroken blood vessel?

A

Thrombus

33
Q

What are risks associated with a thrombus?

A

Occlusion: blockage of blood vessel
Embolism: obstruction of a blood vessel by foreign substances or a blood clot
Rupture: Rupture: Thrombus sites under pressure increase the risk of blood vessel rupture

34
Q

What is an embolus?

A

Any material which wouldn’t normally be there that is moving in the blood stream

35
Q

What are normal conditions for blood flow in/out of circulation system called?

A

Laminar flow

36
Q

What are some of the factors that create resistance to blood flow?

A
  • Size of individual vessels (length and diameter)
  • Physical makeup of blood (viscosity, laminar vs turbulent flow)
  • Extra vascular forces (heart, skeletal muscle)
37
Q

What is the blocking of a deep vein by the formation of a thrombus -most commonly in the lower limb (thrombophlebitis).

A

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

38
Q

T/F: DVT is not a serious condition

A

False

39
Q

What is a weak spot in a blood vessel wall that bulges under pressure?

A

Aneurysm

40
Q

What are causes of aneurysms?

A
  • Partial obstruction
  • Pathologies
  • Trauma/surgery (scar tissue)
  • Congenital (in utero) and/or genetic causes
  • Hypertension
  • Hydrostatic pressure
  • Hemodynamic pressure
41
Q

What are three types of aneurysms?

A

1- Berry/Saccular: discrete weak spot (most common in vessels supplying the brain)
2- Fusiform: weakness in entire vessel circumference (most common in areas of birfurcation)
3- Dissecting: aorta

42
Q

What are clinical implications of aneurysms?

A

Pressure on nearby structures can result in ischemia, nerve compression, erosion or damage to structures

43
Q

What is a Cerebral Vascular Accident?

A

Aka Stroke = death of the brain

44
Q

What are the two types of CVAs?

A

1- Ischemic/occlusive

2- Hemorrhagic - interruption in blood flow

45
Q

Risk factors for CVAs?

A

age, sex, race, family history, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, arterial fibrillation, obesity, inactivity, alcohol/drug use, hypercoagulability, HRT, oral contraceptive use

46
Q

What is a sudden, focal, usually unilateral attack with no evidence of residue brain or neurological damage?

A

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

47
Q

What are some common signs and symptoms of TIAs?

A

Weakness in face, arm/leg, vision loss, language disturbances, slurred speech, imbalance

48
Q

What are manifestations of a stroke/CVA?

A 
Hemiplagia
Spasticity and reflex patterns
Flaccidity
Altered function
Sensory deficit
Visual, speech, cognitive impairment
--> usually long recovery time in hospital + requires medication
49
Q

What is the difference between hemodynamic and hydrostatic pressure?

A

Hemodynamic: pressure of blood in forward propulsion
Hydrostatic: pressure against blood vessel walls

50
Q

What is an ischemic lesion of the skin and underlying structures due to external pressures that impair blood and lymph flow?

A

Pressure ulcers (aka bedsores)

51
Q

What is an excess accumulation of fluid in the interstitial space (both extracellular and extravascular)?

A

Edema

52
Q

Common causes of edema?

A

Local: inflammation or trauma, decreased muscle tone, localized allergic reaction, inadequate lymph drainage, impaired circulation

General: too much salt, congestive heart failure, kidney/liver disease, side effect of medications, hormone influence

53
Q

What does Anti-Edematous mean and give some examples?

A

Keeping edema balance/homeostasis in the body:

  • Action of lymphatic capillaries
  • Colloid osmotic pressures (colloids are the particles in blood that draw fluid into vessels)
  • Healthy normal capillary walls
  • Healthy normal heart, liver and kidney function
  • Tissue density
  • Normal musculoskeletal mobility
54
Q

What is osmosis?

A

Passage of water from a high water concentration to low water concentration. (Also: passage of water from a dilute solution to a more concentrated solution)

55
Q

What is a recommended treatment for edema?

A
  • lymph drainage
  • elevation
  • massage
  • compression (stockings)
  • hydrotherapy

ensure that you ID the real cause of the edema

56
Q

What is fluid accumulation throughout the body?

A

Anasarca

57
Q

What is fluid accumulation in peritoneal cavity?

A

Ascites

58
Q

What is excess fluid accumulation in pleural cavity?

A

Hydrothorax/Pleural Effusion

59
Q

What is fluid accumulation in pericardial space?

A

Pericardial Effusion

60
Q

What is it called when you firmly press the skin (usually on the extremities) and the skin maintains the depression?

A

Pitted Edema

61
Q

What is it called when there is edema or swelling of a part of the body that is lower than the heart?

A

Dependent Edema

62
Q

What occurs when there is an obstruction of lymphatic flow?

A

Lymphodema

T2-SC (4 decks)

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