The Circulatory System Flashcards
The complex arrangement of connected tubes, including the arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins, that moves blood, oxygen, nutrients, carbon dioxide, and cellular waste throughout the body
circulatory system
The portion of the circulatory system outside of the heart and lungs
systemic circulation
The flow of blood from the right ventricle through the pulmonary arteries an all of their branches and capillaries in the lungs and back to the left atrium through the venules and pulmonary veins; also called the lesser circulation
pulmonary circulation
A hollow muscular organ that pumps blood through out the body
heart
The heart muscle
myocardium
One of the two upper chambers of the heart
atrium
One of two lower chambers of the heart
ventricle
The four veins that return oxygenated blood from the lungs of the left atrium of the heart
pulmonary veins
Thin bands of fibrous tissue that attach to the valves in the heart and prevent them from inverting
chordae tendineae
The number of heartbeats during a specific time
heart rate
The volume of blood pumped forward with each ventricular contraction
stroke volume (SV)
The middle and thickest layer of tissue of a blood vessel wall, composed of elastic tissue and smooth muscle cells that allow the vessel to expand or contract in response to changes in blood pressure and tissue demand
tunica media
The principal artery leaving the left side of the heart and carrying freshly oxygenated blood to the body
aorta
The major artery leading from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs; it carries oxygen-poor blood
pulmonary artery
The smallest branches of arteries leading to the vast network of capillaries
arterioles
The wave of pressure created as the heart contracts and forces blood out the left ventricle and into the major arteries
pulse
The major artery that supplies blood to the head and brain
carotid artery
The principal artery of the thigh, a continuation of the external iliac artery. It supplies blood to the lower abdominal wall, external genitalia, and legs. It can be palpated in the groin area
femoral artery
The major artery in the forearm; it is palpable at the wrist on the thumb side
radial artery
The major vessel in the upper extremity that supplies blood to the arm
brachial artery
The artery just behind the medial malleolus; supplies blood to the foot
posterior tibial artery
The artery on the anterior surface of the foot, between the first and second metatarsals
dorsalis pedis artery
The tiny blood vessels between the arterioles and venules that permit transfer of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste between body tissues and the blood
capillary vessels
Muscles arranged in circles that are able to decrease the diameter of tubes
sphincters
One of the two largest veins in the body; carries blood from the upper extremities, head, neck, and chest into the heart
superior vena cava
One of the two largest veins in the body; carries blood from the lower extremities and the pelvic and the abdominal organs to the heart
inferior vena cava
The resistance that blood must over come to be able to move within the blood vessels. SVR is related to the amount of dilation or constriction in the blood vessel
systemic vascular resistance (SVR)
A sticky, yellow fluid that carries the blood cells and nutrients and transports cellular waste material to the organs of excretion.
plasma
Cells that carry oxygen to the body’s tissues; also called erythrocytes
red blood cells
Blood cells that have a role in the body’s immune defense mechanisms against infection; also called leukocytes
white blood cells
Tiny, disk-shaped elements that are much smaller than the cells; they are essential in the initial formation of a blood clot, the mechanism that stops bleeding
platelets
The pressure that the blood exerts against the walls of the arteries as it passes through them
blood pressure (BP)
The contraction, or period of contraction, of the heart, especially that of the centricles
systole
The relaxation, or period of relaxation, of the heart, especially of the ventricles
diastole
A device used to measure blood pressure
sphygmomanometer
The circulation of oxygenated blood within an organ or tissue in adequate amounts to meet the cell’s current needs
perfusion
An abnormal state associated with inadequate oxygen and nutrient delivery to the metabolic apparatus of the cell
shock
The space in between the cells
interstitial space
The pressure of water against the walls of its container
hydrostatic pressure
The pressure of water to move, typically into the capillary, as a result of the presence of plasma proteins
oncotic pressure
A hormone produced by the adrenal medulla that has a vital role in the function of the sympathetic nervous system
epinephrine
A neurotransmitter and drug sometimes used in the treatment of shock; produces vasoconstriction through its alpha-stimulater properties
norepinephrine
Portions of the nervous system that when stimulated can cause constriction of blood vessels
alpha-adrenergic receptors
Portions of the nervous system that when stimulated can cause an increase in the force of contraction of the heart, and increased heart rate, and bronchial dilation
beta-adrenergic receptors
pertaining to the nerves that release the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, or noradrenaline. The terms also pertains to the receptors acted on by norepinephrine.
adrenergic
