Vessels of the heart Flashcards
What are the major vessels of the heart?
The major vessels are the aorta, superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, pulmonary arteries, and pulmonary veins.
What is the function of the aorta?
The aorta carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body.
Where does the superior vena cava carry blood?
The superior vena cava carries deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the right atrium.
Where does the inferior vena cava carry blood?
The inferior vena cava carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the right atrium.
What is the function of pulmonary arteries?
Pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for oxygenation.
What is the function of pulmonary veins?
Pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium.
What are coronary arteries?
Coronary arteries supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle itself.
What are the two main branches of the left coronary artery?
The left anterior descending (LAD) artery and the circumflex artery.
What area of the heart does the LAD artery supply?
The LAD artery supplies the front and bottom of the left ventricle and the front of the septum.
What is the function of the circumflex artery?
The circumflex artery supplies oxygenated blood to the left atrium and the side and back of the left ventricle.
What does the right coronary artery (RCA) supply?
The RCA supplies oxygenated blood to the right atrium, right ventricle, and portions of both ventricles and the septum.
What is the coronary sinus?
The coronary sinus is a large vein that collects deoxygenated blood from the heart muscle and returns it to the right atrium.
Where is the coronary sinus located?
It is located on the posterior aspect of the heart, running along the atrioventricular groove.
What is the difference between pulmonary and systemic circulation?
Pulmonary circulation moves blood between the heart and lungs, while systemic circulation moves blood between the heart and the rest of the body.
What vessel carries blood from the right ventricle to the lungs?
The pulmonary artery.
What is the function of the vena cava?
The vena cava returns deoxygenated blood from the body to the right atrium.
What vessels bring blood into the right atrium?
The superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, and coronary sinus
What happens to blood in the pulmonary capillaries?
Blood receives oxygen and releases carbon dioxide in the pulmonary capillaries.
Which vessels are responsible for oxygenating the heart muscle?
The coronary arteries.
What is the primary role of the great cardiac vein?
The great cardiac vein collects deoxygenated blood from the front of the heart and empties into the coronary sinus.
What is the name of the artery that supplies the right ventricle and part of the left ventricle?
The posterior descending artery (PDA).
Which vessel supplies the right atrium with oxygenated blood?
None. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body.
What vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart?
Pulmonary veins.
What are the small branches of the coronary arteries called?
Arterioles
What vessel carries blood from the left ventricle to the body?
The aorta.
What is the role of the aortic arch?
The aortic arch distributes oxygenated blood to the upper body through major branches.
Name the three major branches of the aortic arch.
The brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery.
What is the tunica intima?
The innermost layer of a blood vessel, providing a smooth lining for blood flow.
What layer of blood vessels is responsible for vasoconstriction and vasodilation?
The tunica media, which contains smooth muscle fibers.
What is the function of the coronary veins?
To return deoxygenated blood from the heart muscle to the right atrium via the coronary sinus.
Where does the right coronary artery originate?
From the right side of the ascending aorta.
Which artery supplies the interventricular septum?
The left anterior descending (LAD) artery.
What is the function of the small cardiac vein?
The small cardiac vein drains the right atrium and right ventricle.
What is myocardial ischemia?
A condition where blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced, often due to blockage in the coronary arteries.
What is the role of the brachiocephalic trunk?
It supplies blood to the right arm and the head and neck on the right side.
What vessel connects the aorta to the femoral artery?
The iliac arteries.
Where does blood from the coronary arteries go after it oxygenates the heart?
Into the coronary veins and eventually into the right atrium through the coronary sinus.
What is the role of the left main coronary artery?
It supplies oxygenated blood to the left side of the heart, including the left atrium and left ventricle.
What is an anastomosis in coronary circulation?
A connection between two blood vessels that provides an alternate route for blood flow.
What causes angina?
Reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, often due to narrowing of coronary arteries.
What is the primary function of the pulmonary trunk?
To carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.
What is the importance of collateral circulation?
It provides alternative routes for blood to reach the heart muscle in case of arterial blockages.
What is a myocardial infarction (heart attack)?
It occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, causing damage to the heart muscle.
Which vessels are involved in supplying blood to the lungs?
Pulmonary arteries and pulmonary veins.
What is the role of the brachial artery in circulation?
It supplies blood to the upper limb.
What is the epicardial coronary artery?
Coronary arteries located on the surface of the heart, supplying oxygenated blood to the myocardium.
Which side of the heart pumps blood into the systemic circulation?
The left side (left ventricle).
What does the term “vascular resistance” refer to?
The resistance that blood encounters as it flows through the blood vessels.
What vessels are part of the microcirculation in the heart?
Arterioles, capillaries, and venules.
What is coronary artery disease?
A condition caused by the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, leading to reduced blood flow to the heart.
What artery supplies blood to the upper body?
The aortic arch and its branches (brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery).
What is atherosclerosis?
A buildup of plaque inside the arteries that can restrict blood flow.
What is the function of the carotid arteries?
To supply blood to the brain, neck, and face.
What is the pericardium?
The double-walled sac that surrounds and protects the heart.
What are capillaries?
Small blood vessels that connect arteries and veins and facilitate the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste
