Cardiovascular System and Heart Anatomy

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to the cardiovascular system and heart anatomy from the lecture.

Atria

The two upper chambers of the heart, specifically the right atrium and left atrium.

Ventricles

The two lower chambers of the heart, specifically the right ventricle and left ventricle.

Inferior Vena Cava

A large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the right atrium.

Superior Vena Cava

A large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the right atrium.

Coronary Arteries

Blood vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood to the myocardium (heart muscle).

Myocardium

The muscular tissue of the heart responsible for contraction and pumping blood.

Chordae Tendineae

String-like structures that anchor heart valves and prevent backflow of blood.

Heart Murmur

An abnormal sound during heartbeat, often due to improper closure of heart valves.

Ischemia

The lack of blood flow, which can lead to heart pain or angina.

SA Node (Sinoatrial Node)

The pacemaker of the heart that initiates electrical impulses for heartbeats.

AV Node (Atrioventricular Node)

The node that receives impulses from the SA node and relays them to the ventricles.

EKG (Electrocardiogram)

A test that measures the electrical activity of the heart and provides insights into its rhythm.

Tachycardia

An abnormally fast heart rate, typically over 100 beats per minute at rest.

Bradycardia

An abnormally slow heart rate, typically under 60 beats per minute at rest.

Arrhythmia

Any irregular heartbeat or abnormal heart rhythm.

Pericardium

A double-walled sac that contains and protects the heart.

Septum

The wall dividing the left and right sides of the heart.

Aorta

The largest artery in the body, responsible for distributing oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body.

Heart Bypass Surgery

A surgical procedure that reroutes blood around blocked coronary arteries using a graft.

Heart Stent

A small mesh tube used to treat narrowed or blocked coronary arteries.

Pulmonary Trunk

The large vessel that carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs, oxygen is absorbed, and carbon dioxide is released.