Cardiovascular System - Vocabulary (Chapter 5)

Vocabulary flashcards covering core cardiovascular terms, structures, functions, diseases, and diagnostic/therapeutic procedures from the notes.

Cardiovascular system

The body system that distributes blood to all parts of the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients and removing wastes; includes the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins.

Heart

A muscular four-chamber pump that circulates blood through the body; located in the mediastinum.

Atrium

One of the two upper chambers of the heart that receives blood (right atrium from body; left atrium from lungs).

Ventricle

Lower heart chamber that pumps blood (right ventricle to lungs; left ventricle to the body).

Septum

Wall dividing the right and left sides of the heart.

Endocardium

Inner lining of the heart chambers.

Myocardium

Thick muscular middle layer of the heart responsible for contraction.

Epicardium

Outer layer of the heart; forms the visceral layer of the pericardial sac.

Pericardial sac

Fluid-filled sac surrounding the heart that reduces friction during beating.

Atrioventricular valve

Valve between an atrium and ventricle (tricuspid on the right, mitral on the left) preventing backflow.

Tricuspid valve

AV valve between the right atrium and right ventricle with three cusps.

Mitral valve

AV valve between the left atrium and left ventricle; bicuspid with two cusps.

Pulmonary valve

Semilunar valve between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery.

Aortic valve

Semilunar valve between the left ventricle and the aorta.

Lumen

The hollow channel inside a blood vessel.

Artery

Blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

Arteriole

Small artery; the small branch of an artery.

Vein

Blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart.

Capillary

Tiny vessels where exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and wastes occurs between blood and tissues.

Pulmonary circulation

Flow of blood between the heart and lungs.

Systemic circulation

Flow of blood between the heart and the rest of the body.

Mediastinum

Central compartment of the thoracic cavity containing the heart.

Systole

Contraction phase of the heartbeat.

Diastole

Relaxation phase of the heartbeat.

Sinoatrial (SA) node

The natural pacemaker that initiates the heart’s electrical impulses.

Atrioventricular (AV) node

Conduction node that transmits impulse from atria to ventricles.

Bundle of His (AV bundle)

Conduction pathway between AV node and bundle branches.

Purkinje fibers

Fibers distributing the electrical impulse to the ventricles to cause contraction.

Arrhythmia

Irregularity in the heartbeat or rhythm.

Bradycardia

Slow heart rate.

Tachycardia

Fast heart rate.

Myocardial infarction (MI)

Death of heart muscle due to occluded coronary artery; heart attack.

Angina pectoris

Chest pain due to myocardial ischemia.

Aneurysm

Weakness and ballooning of an arterial wall.

Atherosclerosis

Hardening and loss of elasticity of arterial walls due to lipid plaques.

Coronary artery disease (CAD)

Reduced blood supply to heart muscle due to blocked coronary arteries.

Endocarditis

Inflammation of the inner heart membranes; may involve vegetations on valves.

Pericarditis

Inflammation of the pericardial sac.

Myocarditis

Inflammation of heart muscle.

Cardiomyopathy

Disease of the heart muscle.

Cardiomegaly

Enlarged heart.

Congestive heart failure (CHF)

Heart fails to pump effectively, leading to fluid buildup and edema.

Hypertension (HTN)

High blood pressure; can be essential/primary or secondary to another disease.

Hypotension

Low blood pressure.

Embolus

A traveling blood clot or other obstruction that occludes a vessel.

Infarct

Area of tissue necrosis due to loss of blood supply.

Murmur

An extra or abnormal heart sound heard during auscultation.

Regurgitation

Backflow of blood through a valve.

Thrombus

Blood clot forming within a vessel.

Thrombolytic therapy

Drugs that dissolve clots and restore blood flow.

Angiography

X-ray imaging of blood vessels after injection of contrast dye.

Doppler ultrasonography

Ultrasound study to assess blood flow velocity and detect clots.

Echocardiography (ECHO)

Ultrasound imaging of cardiac structures, especially valves.

Electrocardiography (ECG/EKG)

Recording the electrical activity of the heart to diagnose arrhythmias and damage.

Holter monitor

Portable ECG monitor worn for days to assess heart activity in daily life.

Stress testing

Evaluation of cardiovascular fitness with monitored exercise and imaging or ECG.

Pacemaker

Device that delivers electrical impulses to regulate heart rhythm.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)

Device that detects and corrects life-threatening arrhythmias with shocks.

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)

Surgical procedure using a graft to bypass a blocked coronary artery.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)

Balloon catheter dilates a narrowed coronary artery; may involve stent placement.

Stent

A tube-like support placed inside a vessel to keep it open.

Angioplasty

General term for opening narrowed vessels; often refers to PTCA.

Sphygmomanometer

Device (blood pressure cuff) used to measure blood pressure.

Auscultation

Listening for internal body sounds with a stethoscope.

Stethoscope

Instrument used to listen to body sounds.

Carotid ultrasonography

Ultrasound imaging of the carotid arteries to assess blood flow.

CABG

See coron­ary artery bypass graft; bypass blocked arteries using a graft.

PTCA

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty; balloon angioplasty usually with stent.

Angioplasty

Procedure to widen narrowed vessels; may include stent placement.

Pacer implantation

Placement of a pacemaker device to regulate heart rhythm.

ICD

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator; delivers shocks to correct dangerous rhythms.