Cardiovascular System Test Bank

Flashcards created from lecture notes on the cardiovascular system, covering key terms and definitions related to heart function, blood vessels, and circulatory physiology.

Atrioventricular (AV) node

Responsible for starting the rhythmic contractions of the heart.

Arteries

Strong, elastic vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

Osmotic pressure

Forces molecules in the blood out through capillary walls.

Capillaries

Merge to form venules, which merge to form veins that carry blood back to the atria.

Veins

Function as blood reservoirs and constrict when blood pressure increases.

Pericardial cavity

The cavity in which the heart is located.

Closed system

The type of circulation of blood in humans.

Base of the heart

The top of the heart, opposite the apex.

Apex of the heart

The pointed bottom of the heart.

Parietal pericardium

The outer layer of the pericardial sac, covering the heart.

Endocardial layer

The innermost layer of the heart wall, in direct contact with the blood.

Aortic valve

Blood pumped from the right ventricle does NOT pass through this valve.

Cardiac veins

Oxygen-rich vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood.

Coronary sinus

Empties blood into the right atrium.

Lubb-dupp sounds

Created by the closure of the heart's four valves.

Cardiac conduction system

A network of nerve fibers beginning with the sinoatrial (SA) node.

AV node conduction fibers

Have a small diameter which results in slower impulse conduction.

T waves

Produced by atrial repolarization seen in ECG tracings.

Parasympathetic stimulation

Decreases the heart rate.

Sympathetic stimulation

Increases the heart rate.

Arteries

Carry blood away from the heart.

Capillary walls

Are only one cell layer thick.

Capillary exchange

Accomplished by diffusion, osmosis, and filtration.

Osmotic capillary pressure

Forces fluid out of the blood and into the tissues.

Systolic pressure

The maximum blood pressure reached during ventricular contraction.

Venous return

All venous blood returns to the heart through the vena cavae.

Cardiac output

The volume of blood the heart pumps per minute.

Stroke volume

The volume of blood pumped with each beat of the heart.

Calcium channel blocker

Medication that decreases heart rate when targeting cardiac muscle.

Blood pressure

Can be influenced by peripheral resistance, stroke volume, and heart rate.

Vasoconstriction

A process that increases the pressure of blood against vessel walls.

Renal veins

Drain blood into the inferior vena cava.

Cardiovascular system

Comprises the heart, arteries, and veins.

Pulmonary circuit

Sends oxygen-poor blood to the lungs.

Fibrous pericardium

Outermost membrane that forms a loose-fitting sac around the heart.

Blood flow pattern

Typically follows the path: artery, arteriole, capillary, venule, vein.

Aorta

Part of the systemic circuit.

Coronary arteries

Branch off of the aorta.

Veins

Serve as blood reservoirs.

Plasma proteins

Help maintain the osmotic pressure of the blood.

Capillary blood pressure

Higher than osmotic pressure at arteriolar ends causes fluid to leave.

Atrial systole

State when blood pressure in systemic arteries is highest.

Frank-Starling law

States that greater myocardial fiber length increases contraction force.

Skeletal muscle contraction

Helps return blood to the heart by squeezing veins.

Body region of celiac trunk branches

Supplies stomach, liver, and spleen.

Lowest blood pressure

Found in veins.

Cardiac cycle

Complete set of contraction and relaxation events of the heart.

Sinoatrial (SA) node

The heart's natural pacemaker.

Purkinje fibers

Part of the conduction system that extends into the papillary muscles.

QRS complex

Represents depolarization of the ventricles in an ECG pattern.

Bradycardia

Abnormally slow heart rate (fewer than 60 beats per minute).

Hypercardia

Term for a resting heart rate that exceeds 100 beats per minute.

Medulla oblongata

Location of the cardiac control center in the brain.

Potassium

Excess can decrease heart rate and force of contractions.

Calcium

Excess can increase heart action.

Tunica media

Thickest in arteries.

Tunica externa

Connective tissue layer that attaches the vessel to surrounding tissues.

Simple squamous epithelium

Composed the tunica interna of blood vessels.

Capillaries

Blood vessels with walls thin enough for gas exchange.

Blood viscosity

Can be affected by water intake.

Net hydrostatic pressure

May decrease due to hypotension.

Angiogram

Used to examine blood flow through an area more closely.

Liver disease

Results in a decrease of blood protein levels affecting capillary exchange.

Contrast dye injection

Used for an angiogram to visualize blood vessels.

Veins

Help prevent backflow of blood.

Arterioles

Control blood flow distribution in the body.

Atrioventricular valves

Closed during ventricular contraction.

Semilunar valves

Open during ventricular contraction.

Atrium

Chamber that receives blood returning to the heart.

Ventricle

Chamber that pumps blood away from the heart.

Coronary sinus

Drains blood from the heart muscle into the right atrium.

Skeletal muscle contractions

Mechanism that aids venous return of blood to the heart.

Tachycardia

Abnormally fast heart rate.

Diastole

The relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle.

Systolic phase

When heart chambers contract and pump blood.

Myocardium

Middle layer of the heart wall composed of cardiac muscle.

Aortic valve

Prevents backflow of blood into the left ventricle.

Arterial pressure

Best measured by monitoring systolic and diastolic pressure.

Coronary arteries

Supply blood to the heart muscle.

Great saphenous vein

The longest vein in the body.

Pulse pressure

The difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Tricuspid valve

Separates the right atrium from the right ventricle.

Mitral valve

Separates the left atrium from the left ventricle.

Systemic circuit

Carries oxygen-rich blood to body tissues.

Autonomic nervous system

Regulates heart rate through sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways.

Papillary muscles

Do not require nerve stimulation and help open the heart valves.

Oxygen-rich blood

Is found in systemic arteries and pulmonary veins.

Cardiovascular health

Can be maintained through diet and regular exercise.

Exercise

Improves circulation by enhancing venous return through muscle contractions.

Heart valves

Ensure unidirectional flow of blood.

Venules

Small vessels that collect blood from capillaries.

Ventricular contraction

Follows atrial contraction in the cardiac cycle.

Diastolic pressure

Minimum pressure in arteries during heart relaxation.

Risk factors

Include smoking, diet, and lack of exercise.

Coronary artery disease

Caused by atherosclerosis and can lead to heart attack.

Hemodynamic

Relates to the dynamics of blood flow.

Brachiocephalic artery

Branches from the aorta, supplying blood to the arms and head.

Inferior vena cava

Drains blood from lower parts of the body to the heart.

Pulmonary veins

Bring oxygenated blood back to the heart from the lungs.

Increased stroke volume

Can result from enhanced venous return.