Sports Medicine Final Study Guide

Cardiovascular system, Cardinal Directions, Muscles, Bones, and Nervous system

What is the main function of the cardiovascular system?

To transport blood, which carries oxygen and nutrients to the body's cells

What is the most important element that is transported in the blood?

Oxygen.

What is the double-walled sac that protects and anchors the heart?

The Pericardium

What are the 3 layers of the heart?

From outer to inner: Epicardium, Myocardium, and Endocardium.

Which layer of the heart contains muscle and contracts?

The Myocardium.

How many chambers are there in the heart?

Four (two atria and two ventricles).

What 2 chambers of the heart are considered the pump?

The two Ventricles (Left and Right).

What is the largest of the 4 chambers of the heart?

The Left Ventricle.

Which side of the heart is considered the pulmonary circuit?

The Right side (Right atrium and Right ventricle), which pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

What side of the heart is called the systemic circuit?

The Left side (Left atrium and Left ventricle), which pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.

What is an artery?

A blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart (except for the pulmonary artery).

What is a vein?

A blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood towards the heart (except for the pulmonary vein).

What is the function of the valves in the heart?

To ensure one-way blood flow through the heart and prevent the backflow of blood.

What two systems work together to regulate heart activity?

The Autonomic Nervous System and the Endocrine System (hormones).

What is the pacemaker of the heart?

The Sinoatrial (SA) Node.

What is tachycardia?

An abnormally fast heart rate (typically over 100 beats per minute).

What is bradycardia?

An abnormally slow heart rate (typically below 60 beats per minute).

What does systole mean?

The phase of the heartbeat when the heart contracts (specifically the ventricles) to pump blood out to the body and lungs.

What does diastole mean?

The phase of the heartbeat when the heart relaxes and the chambers fill with blood.

What is cardiac output?

The volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute. Calculated as: Stroke Volume x Heart Rate

What is the only artery that carries deoxygenated blood?

The Pulmonary Artery.

What is the only vein that carries oxygenated blood?

The Pulmonary Vein.

The knee joint is what to the shoulder joint?

Inferior (closer to the feet)

The wrist joint is what to the fingers?

Proximal

The sternum is what to the spine?

Anterior (in front of)

The hamstring muscles are what to the quad muscles?

Posterior (behind)

The MCL is what to the LCL?

Medial (closer to the midline)

The thumb is what to the pinky in anatomical position?

Lateral (farther from the midline)

The bicep muscle is what to the humerus bone?

Superficial (closer to the body surface)

The lungs are what to the ribs?

Deep (further from the body surface)

What are the 3 types of muscle tissue?

Skeletal, Cardiac, and Smooth.

What type of muscle tissues can you not control?

Cardiac and Smooth muscle

What type of muscle tissue helps with locomotion?

Skeletal muscle

What activities are slow twitch muscles used for?

Endurance or long-duration, low-intensity activities, like long-distance running (marathons) or cycling.

What activities are fast twitch muscles used for?

Power and short-duration, high-intensity activities, like sprinting, lifting heavy weights, or jumping.

What is an agonist muscle?

The muscle that is the prime mover responsible for a specific movement (e.g., the biceps during a bicep curl).

What is an antagonist muscle?

The muscle that opposes or reverses the action of the agonist (e.g., the triceps during a bicep curl).

What is muscle hypertrophy?

The increase in size of individual muscle fibers, leading to an overall increase in muscle size (gaining muscle).

What is muscle atrophy?

The decrease in size and strength of muscle tissue, often due to lack of use, aging, or disease (losing muscle).

How do muscles grow?

Muscles grow through hypertrophy, which occurs when muscle fibers are stressed. The body repairs and rebuilds the fibers thicker and stronger to better handle future stress.

What is the difference between a sprain and a strain?

A Sprain is an injury to a ligament. A Strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon.

What two systems work together to create locomotion and how do they work together?

The Muscular System and the Skeletal System. Skeletal muscles contract and pull on the bones across joints, which produces movement (locomotion).

What is an endoskeleton?

A skeleton or supporting structure located inside the body

What is an exoskeleton?

A rigid outer covering or skeleton located outside the body

What is an osteoblasts function?

Builds new bone tissue

What is an osteoclasts function?

Breaks down bone tissue

What is ossification?

The process of bone formation (when connective tissue, such as cartilage, is replaced by bone tissue).

What connects bone to bone?

Ligaments.

What connects muscles to bone?

Tendons.

What is synovial fluid?

A viscous, egg-white-like fluid found in the cavities of synovial joints (like the knee or elbow). Its function is to lubricate the joint and reduce friction between the cartilage surfaces.

What is the diaphysis part of the bone?

The shaft or long, cylindrical main body of a long bone.

What is the epiphysis part of the bone?

The ends of a long bone (proximal and distal ends), typically covered with articular cartilage.

What are the two types of bone tissue found in bones?

Compact bone (dense, solid outer layer) and Spongy bone (porous, honey-comb like inner layer).

What is a transverse fracture?

A fracture that breaks the bone straight across its long axis.

What is a greenstick fracture?

A fracture where the bone bends and cracks but does not break completely; it is common in children.

How do fractures heal?

Fracture healing involves four main stages:

1) Hematoma formation (blood clot forms)

2) Fibrocartilaginous callus formation (fibers and cartilage bridge the gap)

3) Bony callus formation (hard bone replaces the cartilage)

4) Bone remodeling (excess bone is removed, and compact bone is restored).

What structures make up the central nervous system?

The Brain and the Spinal Cord.

What type of nerve carries information to the central nervous system?

Afferent neurons (or Sensory neurons).

What type of nerve carries information from the central nervous system?

Efferent neurons (or Motor neurons).

What is a dendrite?

Short, branching extensions of a nerve cell that receive incoming signals from other neurons and carry them toward the cell body.

What is the cell body of a nerve?

Also called the Soma or Perikaryon, it is the main metabolic and synthetic center of the neuron; it contains the nucleus.

What is the axon?

The long, slender projection of a nerve cell, which transmits the electrical impulse (action potential) away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands.

What is the myelin sheath?

A fatty layer that surrounds the axons of most nerves. It acts as an insulator and dramatically increases the speed of nerve impulse transmission.

What are the 3 nerves of the brachial plexus?

Major nerves from the brachial plexus include: Musculocutaneous, Median, and Ulnar

What are the parts of the diencephalon?

The main parts are the Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Epithalamus, and Subthalamus.

What are the parts of the brain stem?

The Midbrain, Pons, and Medulla Oblongata.

What is the function of the pericardial fluid inside the pericardial sac?

Reduces friction when the heart beats.

What does the "lub, dub" of the heart beat signify?

Heart valves opening and closing.

What is the difference between arteries and veins?

Arteries take blood away from heart; veins bring blood back.

How does the muscular system help the cardiovascular system return blood to the heart?

Muscles squeeze veins to push blood back.

Describe how a muscle fiber works and how the thick and thin filaments work together to create an action.

Thick filaments (myosin) pull thin filaments (actin), making the muscle shorten.

Describe the all-or-nothing principle.

Muscle fibers either contract fully or not at all.

Describe the difference between fast twitch and slow twitch muscle fibers.

Fast twitch = quick, strong bursts; slow twitch = long endurance.

How do muscles grow?

Muscle fibers get thicker after repeated use.

What is the difference between a sprain and a strain?

Sprain = ligament tear; strain = muscle/tendon tear.

What two systems work together to create locomotion and how do they work together?

Muscular (moves) and skeletal (supports); muscles pull bones to move.

Why is spongy bone important?

Makes bones lighter, absorbs shock, houses bone marrow.

What is cartilage and its function, and name a location?

Flexible tissue that cushions joints; found in nose, ears, or knees.

How do fractures heal?

Bone cells rebuild tissue, form callus, then remodel bone.

Why would a sedentary lifestyle or multiple pregnancies increase osteoporosis risk?

Bones weaken without enough activity or nutrients.

Motor division controlling involuntary muscles and example?

Autonomic nervous system; example: smooth muscle in stomach.

Explain depolarization of the nerve.

Sodium enters the neuron, potassium exits, creating an action potential.

Explain the reflex arc.

Stimulus → sensory neuron → spinal cord → motor neuron → muscle reacts.

What are gyri and sulci and why important?

Gyri = ridges, sulci = grooves; increase brain surface area for thinking

Place the heart cycle in order:

1. SA node is triggered

2. Left and right atria contract

3. AV valves open

4. Blood flows to ventricles

5. AV valves close

6. AV node is triggered

7. Ventricles contract

8. Semilunar valves open

9. Blood flows through aorta

10. Blood flows through pulmonary artery

11. Semilunar valves close

12. Ventricles relax

13. Atria relax

14. Blood passively fills both atria

Trace the path:

Capillary → Vein → Inferior/Superior vena cava → Right atrium → Right ventricle → Pulmonary artery → Lungs → Pulmonary vein → Left atrium → Left ventricle → Aorta → Artery → Capillary.