Circulatory System Review Set

Endocardium

smooth layer of cells that lines the inside of the heart and is involved in minimizing friction as blood flows through the heart chambers.

Myocardium

the muscular middle layer of the heart responsible for contraction and pumping blood.

Pericardium

Double-layered membrane/sac that covers the outside of the heart and provides protection, anchoring it to surrounding structures.

Septum

a muscular wall that divides the left and right sides of the heart, preventing mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.

Right atrium

receives blood as it returns from the body cells and directs it into the right ventricle for pumping to the lungs.

Right ventricle

receives blood from the right atrium and pumps blood into the pulmonary artery for oxygenation in the lungs.

Left atrium

receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and directs it into the left ventricle for distribution to the body

Left ventricle

receives blood from the left atrium and pumps the blood into the aorta for transport to the body cells and supplies oxygenated blood to the systemic circulation.

Tricuspid valve

located between the right atrium and right ventricle in the heart; allows blood to flow to the lungs and prevents backflow into the atrium.

Pulmonary valve

between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery; prevents blood from flowing back into the right ventricle after it has been pumped to the lungs for oxygenation

Mitral valve

located between the left atrium and left ventricle; allows blood into aorta and prevents blood form enetering into the left atrium

Aortic valve

located between the left ventricle and aorta; prevents blood from flowing back into the left ventricle after it has been pumped into the aorta

Diastole

the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle relaxes and allows the chambers to fill with blood

Systole

the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle contracts, pumping blood out of the chambers

Arrhythmias

irregular heartbeats characterized by abnormal electrical activity in the heart; can be mild to life threatening

Arteries

carry blood away from the heart

Capillaries

connect arterioles with venules and facilitate the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste between blood and tissues.

Veins

carry blood back to heart

Blood

fluid that circulates through the vessels in the body, transporting oxygen, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body.

Plasma

the liquid component of blood, primarily composed of water, electrolytes, proteins, and hormones, facilitating transport of substances

Erythrocytes

red blood cells that transport oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and carry carbon dioxide back to the lungs for exhalation.

Hemoglobin

a protein in red blood cells that binds to oxygen and facilitates its transport throughout the body; complex protein composed of the protein molecule called globin and iron compound called heme

Leukocytes

white blood cells

Thrombocytes

AKA platelets, usually described as fragments or pieces of cells; important for clotting process

Anemia

a condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood, leading to reduced oxygen transport

Aneurysm

a bulge or saclike formation on the wall of a blood vessel, which can lead to serious complications if it ruptures

Arteriosclerosis

a condition characterized by the hardening and thickening of the arterial walls

Atherosclerosis

a condition involving the buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries, leading to narrowing and restricted blood flow

Hemophilia

a genetic, sex-linked disorder that impairs the body's ability to make blood clots, leading to excessive bleeding

Myocardial infarction (heart attack)

occurs when a blockage in the coronary arteries cuts off the supply of blood to the heart

Varicose veins

dilated and gnarled veins that have lost elasticity and cause stasis/decreased blood flow

What is sometimes used to regulate the heart’s rhythm?

external/internal artificial pacemakers

What occurs in the lungs?

oxygenation of blood; carbon dioxide to oxygen exchange occurs, where blood takes up oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.

Where does blood return from the body to the heart?

superior/inferior vena cava

What does blood flow through from the right atrium to the right ventricle?

tricuspid valve

What does blood flow through from the left atrium to the left ventricle?

bicuspid/mitral valve

What carries oxygenated blood from your lungs to your heart’s left atrium?

pulmonary veins

Aorta

The largest artery in the body, responsible for carrying oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body

The left ventricle pumps the oxygenated blood through what to distribute the blood to the rest of the body?

aortic valve into the aorta

The right ventricle pumps the blood through what to carry it to the lungs?

pulmonary valve into the pulmonary artery

What is the function of the circulatory/cardiovascular system?

transport oxygen/nutrients to body cells and transports carbon dioxide/metabolic away from body cells

The right atrium pumps to what?

right ventricle

The left atrium pumps to what?

left ventricle

Conductive pathway

electrical impulses originating in the heart cause the cyclic contraction of the muscles