Cardiovascular and Hematologic Systems: Medical Terminology and Concepts

Comprehensive vocabulary review flashcards covering hematology, cardiac anatomy, cardiac physiology, hemodynamics, and cardiovascular pathology based on Chapters 14-16.

Hemoglobin

An iron-containing protein in red blood cells that reversibly binds and transports oxygen from the lungs to the tissues.

Reticulocyte

An immature red blood cell that typically circulates for approximately 24 to 48 hours before maturing into an erythrocyte.

Viscosity

The thickness or internal resistance of blood to flow, largely determined by the proportion of red blood cells and plasma proteins.

Polycythemia

An abnormal increase in the concentration of hemoglobin or the total number of circulating red blood cells.

Anemia

A condition marked by a deficiency in red blood cells or hemoglobin, leading to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

Jaundice

A yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera caused by elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood.

Neutrophil

The most abundant granulocytic white blood cell, specialized in phagocytizing bacteria and cellular debris during acute infections.

Eosinophil

A granulocytic white blood cell that responds to allergic reactions and defends against parasitic infections.

Basophil

A granulocytic white blood cell that secretes histamine to promote inflammation and heparin to inhibit blood clotting.

Lymphocyte

An agranulocytic white blood cell, including T cells and B cells, essential for specific acquired immunity and antibody production.

Platelets

Cellular fragments (thrombocytes) derived from megakaryocytes in the bone marrow that initiate blood clotting and hemostasis.

Leukemia

A malignant cancer of blood-forming tissues characterized by the rapid and uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal white blood cells.

Sinoatrial node (SA node)

The primary natural pacemaker of the heart, located in the right atrium, which generates rhythmic electrical impulses initiating each heartbeat.

Atrioventricular node (AV node)

A specialized cardiac conduction structure located at the base of the interatrial septum that delays electrical impulses to allow ventricles time to fill.

Purkinje fiber

Specialized conductive myocardial fibers that rapidly distribute electrical impulses throughout the ventricular walls to stimulate coordinated ventricular contraction.

Myocardium

The thick middle muscular layer of the heart wall responsible for pumping action and contraction.

Interatrial septum

The internal wall of tissue that separates the right and left atria of the heart.

Interventricular septum

The thick muscular wall that separates the right and left ventricles of the heart.

Aortic valve

A semilunar valve located between the left ventricle and the ascending aorta that prevents backflow of blood into the left ventricle during diastole.

Systole

The phase of the cardiac cycle in which the heart muscle contracts and actively ejects blood from the chambers.

Diastole

The phase of the cardiac cycle in which the heart muscle relaxes and the heart chambers passively fill with blood.

Cardiac cycle

The complete sequence of electrical and mechanical events occurring within a single heartbeat, consisting of alternating systole and diastole.

Cardiac output

The volume of blood ejected by each ventricle per minute, calculated using the equation: $\text{Cardiac Output} = \text{Stroke Volume} \times \text{Heart Rate}$.

Stroke volume

The volume of blood pumped out of a ventricle with each individual heartbeat.

Preload

The amount of stretch experienced by the ventricular myocardium at the end of diastole, determined by end-diastolic volume.

Afterload

The resistance or pressure that the ventricles must overcome to pump blood through the semilunar valves into the circulation.

Contractility

The inherent force or strength of myocardial contraction at any given end-diastolic volume, independent of preload.

Tachycardia

An abnormally rapid resting heart rate, generally defined as exceeding $100\,\text{beats/min}$.

Bradycardia

An abnormally slow resting heart rate, generally defined as falling below $60\,\text{beats/min}$.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

A non-invasive recording of the electrical currents generated by the heart muscle during the cardiac cycle.

Arrhythmia

Any abnormality, irregularity, or disturbance in the normal rhythm or rate of the heartbeat.

Coronary circulation

The specialized network of coronary arteries and veins that delivers oxygen-rich blood directly to the myocardium and removes deoxygenated blood.

Atherosclerosis

A chronic vascular disease characterized by the buildup of fatty plaques, cholesterol, and cellular debris along arterial inner walls, narrowing the lumen.

Myocardial infarction

Ischemic necrosis or death of heart muscle tissue caused by a severe and prolonged obstruction of blood flow through a coronary artery.

Angina

Transitory paroxysmal chest pain or discomfort resulting from insufficient coronary blood flow and myocardial ischemia without permanent infarction.

Hypertension

A condition of chronically elevated systemic arterial pressure, clinically defined as a resting blood pressure of $130/80\,\text{mmHg}$ or greater.

Aneurysm

A localized, abnormal ballooning or dilation of a blood vessel wall resulting from weakness in the vessel wall.

Circle of Willis

A ring of interconnecting cerebral arteries located at the base of the brain that provides collateral blood flow between the carotid and vertebrobasilar supplies.

Anastomosis

A surgical or natural anatomical connection between two tubular structures, such as adjacent blood vessels, providing an alternative route for flow.

Vasoconstriction

The narrowing of blood vessel lumens caused by the contraction of smooth muscle fibers in the vessel wall, which increases vascular resistance.

Thrombus

A stationary blood clot formed inappropriately within the lumen of a blood vessel or heart chamber.

Embolus

A detached circulating mass, such as a dislodged blood clot, tissue fragment, or air bubble, capable of lodging in and occluding a downstream vessel.

Edema

An abnormal accumulation of fluid in the interstitial spaces of the body, leading to tissue swelling.

Ascites

The abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity of the abdomen.

Pulmonary edema

An accumulation of fluid within the pulmonary tissue and alveoli, commonly resulting from elevated left ventricular filling pressure in congestive heart failure.

Superior and inferior vena cavae

The two large systemic veins that return deoxygenated blood from the upper body (superior) and lower body (inferior) back to the right atrium.