Cardiac Physiology Flashcards

Flashcards covering cardiac structure, muscle, valves, conduction system and circulation.

Cardiac Anatomy Review

Includes reviewing the chambers of the heart, properties of cardiac muscle, role of cardiac valves, and key features of the cardiac conduction system.

Superior Vena Cava

A major vein that returns blood from the upper body to the right atrium.

Cardiac Anatomy Review

Includes reviewing the chambers of the heart, properties of cardiac muscle, role of cardiac valves, and key features of the cardiac conduction system.

Superior Vena Cava

A major vein that returns blood from the upper body to the right atrium.

Inferior Vena Cava

A major vein that returns blood from the lower body to the right atrium.

Aorta

The largest artery in the body, carrying oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the systemic circulation.

Pulmonary Artery

Carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.

Pulmonary Vein

Carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium.

Right Atrium

Receives deoxygenated blood from the superior and inferior vena cava.

Left Atrium

Receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins.

Right Ventricle

Pumps deoxygenated blood to the pulmonary artery.

Left Ventricle

Pumps oxygenated blood to the aorta.

Mitral Valve

Valve between the left atrium and left ventricle.

Tricuspid Valve

Valve between the right atrium and right ventricle.

Aortic Valve

Valve between the left ventricle and aorta.

Pulmonary Valve

Valve between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery.

Intercalated Discs

Specialized cell junctions containing gap junctions and desmosomes that allow for rapid electrical and mechanical communication between cardiac muscle cells.

Autorhythmicity

The ability of cardiac muscle to generate its own rhythmic contractions.

Syncytium

Cardiac muscle cells operate as an electromechanical syncytium, permitting easy spread of action potentials and coordinated contraction.

Sinoatrial (SA) Node

Located in the high right atrium below the superior vena cava; the primary pacemaker of the heart.

Atrioventricular (AV) Node

Located in the posterior wall of the right atrium behind the tricuspid valve; transmits electrical impulses from the atria to the ventricles.

Purkinje Fibers

Specialized conducting fibers that rapidly transmit action potentials throughout the ventricles, ensuring coordinated contraction.

Left Anterior Descending Artery

A major branch of the left coronary artery that supplies blood to the anterior wall of the left ventricle.

Circumflex Artery

A branch of the left coronary artery that supplies blood to the lateral and posterior walls of the left ventricle.

Right Coronary Artery

Supplies blood to the right atrium, right ventricle, and part of the left ventricle.