Week 12 - Cardiovascular System Flashcards
Aorta
largest artery in the body
Angiogram
xray of blood/lymph vessels
Aortic stenosis
narrowing of the valve in the large blood vessel branching off the heart (aorta)
Angioplasty
surgical repair or unblocking of a blood vessel; esp. coronary artery
Anoxia
absence of oxygen
Artery
largest type of blood vessel; carries blood away from the heart to all parts of the body
Arrhythmia
condition in which the heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm
Atheroma
collections of plaque that protrude into the lumen of an artery, weakening the muscle lining
Atrioventricular node
AV node; specialized tissue in the wall between the atria
Atrioventricular bundle
bundle of His; specialized muscle fibers connecting the atria with the ventricles and transmitting electrical impulses between them
Atrium
one of two upper chambers of the heart
Bradycardia
slower than normal heartbeat; <60 bpm
Capillary
smallest blood vessel
Carbon dioxide
CO2; gas (waste) released by body cells, transported via veins to the hear and then to the lungs for exhalation
Coronary heart disease
plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries causing artherosclerosis
Cyanosis
bluish discoloration of the skin indicates diminished oxygen content of the blood
Diastole
relaxation phase of the heartbeat
Endocardium
inner lining of the heart
Electrocardiogram
ECG; record of the electricity flowing through the heart; P, QRS, T
Hypoxia
inadequate oxygen in tissues