Week 2 Vocab Flashcards
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Primary neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system; also present at somatic neuromuscular junctions and at parasympathetic and sympathetic preganglionic nerves.
Action Potential
An electrical potential of a single cell (muscle or nerve) generated by the opening and closing of special ion channels on the cells membrane.
Adrenergic
A term relating to nerves that release norepinephrine and epinephrine.
Adrenergic Blockers
Drugs that block the actions of the sympathetic nervous system.
Afterload
Pressure that must be overcome by the ventricles for blood to be ejected from the heart.
Aldosterone
A steroid (mineralocorticoid) hormone produced by the adrenal cortex that acts on the kidney to increase sodium reabsorption, thereby retaining sodium in the body.
Alpha (α) receptor
Type of sub-receptor found in the sympathetic nervous system.
Angina Pectoris
Severe pain and constriction in the chest region, usually associated with myocardial ischemia.
Angiogenesis
The development of new blood vessels. Drugs that inhibit this effect can be useful in limiting the growth and proliferation of certain tumors.
Angiotensin II
Chemical released in response to falling blood pressure that causes vasoconstriction and release of aldosterone by the adrenal medulla.
Anticholinergics
Drugs that inhibit the action of acetylcholine at its receptor.
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
Hormone produced by the hypothalamus that stimulates the kidneys to conserve water.
Anticoagulation
A decrease in the blood’s capacity to coagulate (clot). Drugs with the ability to decrease coagulation are known as anticoagulants.
Baroreceptor
Nerves located in the walls of the atria, aortic arch, vena cava and carotid sinus that sense changes in blood pressure.
Beta (β) receptors
Type of sub receptor found in the sympathetic nervous system
Calcium Channel Blocker
Drugs that block the flow of calcium into the myocardial cells.
Cardiac Output
Amount of blood pumped by each ventricle in 1 minute (typically 5-6/L min).
Cholinergic
A term relating to nerves that release acetylcholine (Ach).
Cholinergic Blockers
Drugs that block the action of the parasympathetic nervous system.
Cholinergic Drugs
Another name for parasympathomimetic drugs.
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
A clinical syndrome of cardiac disease that is marked by decreased myocardial contractility, peripheral edema, shortness of breath, and decreased tolerance for physical exertion.
Contractility
The strength by which the myocardial fibers contract.
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter located in the central nervous system (CNS) that is important in motor control and in certain aspects of behavior. The presence of endogenous or exogenous dopamine in the periphery also affects cardiovascular function.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
A condition in which thrombi in the venous system form in the veins of the legs due to sluggish blood flow.
Epinephrine
Neurotransmitter or medication that activates the sympathetic nervous system.
Fibrin
An insoluble protein formed from fibrinogen by the action of thrombin in the blood clotting process.
Fibrinogen
Blood protein converted to fibrin by the action of thrombin in the blood clotting process.
Fibrinolysis
Removal of a blood clot.
Fibrinolytics
Drugs which facilitate the breakdown and dissolution of clots that have already formed. These drugs work by converting plasminogen (profibrinolysin) to plasmin (fibrinolysin).
Ganglia
Collection of nerve cell bodies located outside of the central nervous system (CNS).
Hemophilia
A hereditary disease in which an individual is unable to synthesize adequate amounts of a specific clotting factor.
Hemostasis
The process of preventing blood loss from the circulation following injury to blood vessels (ANT: hemorrhage).
Hyperlipidemia
Involves abnormally elevated levels of any or all lipids and/or lipoproteins in the blood. It is the most common form of dyslipidemia (which includes any abnormal lipid levels).
Hypertension
A pathological condition characterized by a sustained, reproducible increase in blood pressure.
Inotropic
Refers to a substance that increases muscular contraction force (positive inotrope) or decreases contraction force (negative inotrope). Certain cardiac drugs are considered positive inotropes because they increase the force of cardiac contractions.
Low Molecular Weight Heparins
Heparin-like drugs that inhibit blood clotting.
Metabolic Syndrome
A condition characterized by insulin resistance, high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, and hyperlipidemia (SYN: Syndrome X).
Muscarinic
Type of cholinergic receptor found in smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and glands.
Nicotinic
Type of cholinergic receptor found in ganglia of both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
Norepinephrine (NE)
Primary neurotransmitter of the sympathetic nervous system.
Orthostatic Hypotension
A sudden fall in blood pressure that occurs when the patient stands erect; this is a frequent side effect of many medications.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Portion of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) that is active during periods of rest and digestion.
Parasympathomimetics
Drugs that mimic the action of parasympathetic nervous system.
Peripheral Edema
Swelling in the limbs, particularly the feet and ankles, due to an accumulation of interstitial fluid.
Peripheral Resistance
The amount of friction encountered by blood as it travels through the vessels.
Phosphodiesterase (PDE)
An enzyme that breaks down phosphodiester bonds in organic compounds. Certain phosphodiesterases are important clinically because they break down second messengers such as cyclic AMP, and drugs that inhibit these enzymes prolong the effects of cyclic AMP in the lungs and other tissues.
Preload
Degree of stretch of cardiac muscle fibers just before they contract.
Plasmin
Enzyme formed from plasminogen that dissolves blood clots.
Plasminogen
Protein that prevent fibrin clot formation.
Reflex Tachycardia
Temporary speeding up of heart rate that occurs when blood pressure falls.
Renin-angiotensin Aldosterone System
Series of enzymatic steps by which the body raises blood pressure.
Stable Angina
Type of angina that usually occurs in a predictable pattern, usually relieved by rest.
Stroke Volume
The volume of blood pumped from the left ventricle per beat.
Sympathetic Nervous System
Portion of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) that is active during stress and which produces the fight or flight response.
Sympatholytics
Drugs that inhibit or antagonize function within the sympathetic nervous system.
Sympathomimetics
Drugs that simulate the actions of the sympathetic nervous system.
Thrombus
A blood clot formed by the activation of fibrin and platelets. Excessive thrombus formation (thrombosis) can be controlled by drugs that affect various aspects of the clotting mechanisms.
Unstable Angina
Type of angina that occurs frequently with severe symptoms and that is not relieved by rest.
Variant Angina (Prinzmetal’s)
Type of angina that decreased cardiac blood flow is caused by spasms of the coronary arteries.
Vasomotor Center
Area of the medulla that controls baseline blood pressure.
