Circulatory System and Cardiovascular Health

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomy of the heart, the mechanics of circulation, vessel characteristics, and common cardiovascular diseases based on the lecture notes.

Circulatory System

The system responsible for pumping blood around the body, composed of the heart, blood, and blood vessels.

Heart

The organ that acts as the pump for the circulatory system.

Blood

The transporter of hormones, oxygen, glucose, excess heat, waste products, and immune cells.

Blood Vessels

The avenues for blood transport throughout the body.

Lungs

Secondary components of the circulatory system that provide oxygen and remove carbon dioxide.

Kidneys

Secondary components of the circulatory system that filter the blood.

Double Pump

The heart function involving two circuits: the first pumps blood to the lungs and back, and the second pumps blood to respiring muscles and back.

Pulmonary circulation

The pathway of blood specifically from the heart to the lungs and back.

Systemic circulation

Refers to all blood vessels in the body other than those specifically associated with the lungs.

Right atrium

The chamber of the heart that receives deoxygenated blood from the body.

Right Ventricle

The chamber from which deoxygenated blood is pumped to the lungs to become oxygenated.

Left Atrium

The chamber of the heart that receives oxygenated blood from the lungs.

Left Ventricle

The chamber from which oxygenated blood is pumped to the rest of the body to deliver oxygen.

Tricuspid Valve

The atrioventricular valve that separates the right atrium from the right ventricle.

Pulmonary Semilunar Valve

The valve that separates the right ventricle from the pulmonary aorta.

Mitral Valve

The atrioventricular valve (also referred to as the bicuspid valve) that separates the left atrium from the left ventricle.

Aortic Semilunar Valve

The valve that separates the left ventricle from the aorta.

Septum

The wall that separates the chambers of the heart.

Chordae tendineae

The cord-like tendons that connect the papillary muscles to the tricuspid and mitral valves in the heart.

Vena cava

The large vein through which deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium.

Aorta

The main artery through which oxygenated blood is pumped from the left ventricle to the rest of the body.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry high-pressure blood away from the heart, characterized by small lumens, no valves, and elastic walls.

Lumen

The inner cavity or space within a blood vessel.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry low-pressure blood towards the heart, characterized by thinner walls, large lumens, and one-way valves to prevent backflow.

Capillaries

The smallest blood vessels that connect arteries to veins; they have walls only one cell thick to allow the diffusion of glucose and oxygen.

Arterioles

The smallest arteries, which are important for microcirculation.

Venules

The smallest veins that receive blood from the capillaries.

Hypotension

Low blood pressure, often associated with shock, which can cause dizziness or fainting.

Hypertension

High blood pressure; a chronic medical condition that makes the heart work harder and can damage blood vessels over time.

Stroke

A condition where poor blood flow to the brain results in cell death; types include Ischemic and Hemorrhagic.

Ischemic Stroke

A stroke caused specifically by a lack of blood flow to the brain.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

A stroke caused specifically by bleeding in the brain.

Aneurysm

A localized, blood-filled, balloon-like bulge in the wall of a blood vessel that carries a risk of rupture.

Atherosclerosis

The hardening of an artery due to the build-up of fat, cholesterol, and other substances forming plaques.

Myocardial infarction

Commonly known as a heart attack; occurs when blood flow stops to part of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle.

Coronary Thrombosis

The formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel of the heart, which restricts flow and can lead to a myocardial infarction.

Ventricular assistive devices

Mechanical treatments where blood is diverted from a failing ventricle into a pump that delivers it to the aorta or pulmonary artery.