The Cardiovascular System Flashcards
Primary Function of the Heart
receives blood from the veins and pumps blood into the arteries
primary functions of the blood vessels
transport blood to and from all areas of the body
primary functions of the arteries
transport blood away from the heart to all parts of the body
primary function of the capillaries
permit the exchange of nutrients and waste products between the blood and the cells
veins
return blood from all body parts to the heart
blood
brings oxygen and nutrients to the cells and carries away waste
the cardiovascular systems consists of _________, _________ and __________________.
heart, blood vessels and blood
heart
a hollow, muscular organ located in the thoracic cavity, between the lungs.
apex
lower tip of the heart
pericardium
aka pericardial sav, the double-walled membranous sac that encloses the heart
walls of the heart are made of these three layers:
epicardium, myocardium and endocardium
epicardium
the external layer of the heart and the inner layer of the pericardium
myocardium
the middle and thickest of the heart’s three layers.
-consists of specialized cardiac muscle, capable of the constant contraction and relaxation that created the pumping movement necessary to maintain the flow of blood throughout the body.
endocardium
consists of epithelial tissue, is the inner lining of the heart.
this is the surface that comes into direct contact with the blood as it is being pumped through the heart
coronary arteries
supply oxygen-rich blood to the myocardium
the heart is divided into 4 chambers:
two chambers of the atria, and the two lower chambers of the heart
atria
the receiving chambers
tricuspid valve
controls the opening between the right atrium and the right ventricle
pulmonary semilunar valve
located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery- this valve is shaped like a half moon
mitral valve
located between the left ventricle and the left atrium
valves of the heart(4)
pulmonary semilunar valve, mitral valve, tricuspid valve, aortic semilunar valve
pulmonary circulation
the flow of blood only between the heart and lungs
pulmonary arteries
carry deoxygenated blood out of the right ventricle and into the lings; only place in the body where deoxygenated blood is carried by arteries instead of veins
pulmonary veins
carry the oxygenated blood from the lungs into the left atrium of the heart
-only place in the body where veins carry oxygenated blood
systemic circulation
the flow of blood to all parts of the body except the lungs
heartbeat
the ability to pump blood effectively throughout the body; the contraction and relaxation of the heart must occur in exactly the correct sequence
sinoatrial node
located in the posterior wall of the right atrium near the entrance of the superior vena cava
-establishes the basic rhythm and rate of the heartbeat
atrioventricular node
located on the floor of the right atrium near the interatrial septum
bundle of His
a group of fibers located within the interventricular septum, these fibers carry an electrical impulse to ensure the sequence of the heart contractions
purkinje fivers
specialized conductive fibers located within the walls of the ventricles; relay the electrical impulses to the cells of the ventricles which causes the ventricles to contract and force blood out of the heart in to the aorta and pulmonary arteries
three types of blood vessels
arteries, capillaries and veins
arteries
large blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart to all regions of the body
aorta
the largest blood vessel in the body; begins from the left ventricle of the heart and forms the main trunk of the arterial system
carotid arteries
the major arteries that carry blood upward to the head
arterioles
the smaller thinner branches of arteries that deliver blood to the capillaries
capillaries
microscopic blood vessel structures, that are only one cell in thickness
-delivers oxygen and nutrients to cells of the tissue
veins
form a low pressure collecting system to return oxygen poor blood to the heart
venules
are the smallest veins that join to form the larger veins
venae cavae
two largest veins in the body; return blood into the heart
pulse
the rhythmic pressure against the walls of an artery caused by the contraction of the heart
blood pressure
the measurement of the amount of systolic and diastolic pressure exerted against the walls of the arteries
systolic pressure
the highest pressure against the walls of an artery
diastolic pressure
the lowest pressure against the walls of an artery
plasma
a straw-colored fluid that contains nutrients, hormones and waste products
serum
plasma fluid after the blood cells and the clotting proteins have been removed
fibrinogen and prothrombin
are the clotting proteins found in plasma; important role of clot formation to control bleeding
erythocytes
mature red blood cells produced by the red bone marrow
hemoglobin
substance that transports nutrients and oxygen to all body tissues
leukocytes
the blood cells involved in defending the body against infective organisms and foreign substances
major groups of leukocytes(5)
neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, monocytes
neutrophils
formed in red bone marrow; play a major roles in the immune system’s defense against pathogens
phagocytosis
the process of destroying pathogens by surrounding and swallowing them
basophils
formed in the red bone marrow; responsible for causing symptoms of allergies
eosinophils
formed in red bone marrow then migrate to tissues throughout the body. these cells destroy parasitic organisms and play a major role in allergic reactions
lymphocytes
formed in red bone marrow, lymph nodes and the spleen.
-identifies foreign substances and germs in the body and produces antibodies that specifically target them
monocytes
formed in red bone marrow, lymph nodes, and the spleen.-provides immunological defenses against many infectious organisms
thrombocytes
aka platelets; the smallest formed elements of the blood
blood types
are classified according to the presence or absence of certain antigens
Rh factor
defines the presence or absence of the Rh antigen on red blood cells
blood gases
gases that are normally dissolved in the liquid portion of blood; major blood gases are oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen
cardiologist
a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating abnormalities, diseases and disorders of the heart
hematologist
is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating abnormalities, diseases and disorders of the blood and blood forming tissues
vascular surgeon
physician who specializes in the diagnosis, medical management and surgical treatment of disorders of the blood vessels
congenital heart defects
structural abnormalities caused by the failure of the heart to develop normally before birth
coronary artery disease
atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries
atherosclerosis
hardening and narrowing of the arteries caused by a buildup of cholesterol plaque on the interior walls of the arteries
plaque
a fatty deposit
ischemia
a condition in which there is an insufficient supply of oxygen in the tissues due to restricted blood flow to a part of the body
angina
aka angina pectoris; a condition in which severe episodes of chest pain occur due to an inadequate blood flow to the myocardium
myocardial infarction
commonly known as a heart attack, is the blockage of one or more coronary arteries caused by plaque buildup
heart failure
aka congestive heart failure; the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs of oxygen and nutrients
cardiomegaly
the abnormal enlargement of the heart that is frequently associated with heart failure as the heart enlarges in an effort to compensate for its decreased pumping ability
carditis
an inflammation of the heart
endocarditis
an inflammation of the inner lining of the heart