Cardiovascular Anatomy and Venipuncture Fundamentals

Vocabulary flashcards covering cardiac structures, normal physiological measurements, and venipuncture vein selection guidelines from the lecture.

Heart

A hollow, conical, muscular organ roughly the size of the patient's fist, located vertically between the second and sixth ribs, serving as the central pump of the cardiovascular system.

Pericardium

The protective sheath or sac that covers the heart and its attached blood vessels.

Epicardium

The outermost layer of the heart wall.

Myocardium

The middle layer of the heart wall.

Endocardium

The innermost layer lining the inside of the heart.

Atria

The upper two chambers of the heart (right and left) that receive incoming blood.

Ventricles

The lower two chambers of the heart (right and left) that pump blood away from the heart.

Tricuspid valve

The valve located between the right atrium and the right ventricle.

Bicuspid valve

Also known as the mitral valve; the valve located between the left atrium and the left ventricle.

Pulmonary semilunar valve

The valve located between the right ventricle and the trunk of the pulmonary arteries.

Aortic semilunar valve

The valve located between the left ventricle and the aorta.

Cardiac cycle

The complete sequence of events in one heart beat, which includes atrial contraction, ventricular contraction, and a recovery period.

Adult heart rate

The typical heart rate for most adults, beating $60$ to $80$ times per minute.

Antecubital region

The inside area of the elbow, which serves as the standard location for routine venipuncture.

Median cubital vein

The first choice vein for venipuncture, located in the center of the antecubital fossa; it is large, does not usually move when punctured, and is less prone to injury.

Cephalic vein

The second choice vein for venipuncture, located on the lateral aspect (thumb side) of the forearm; it tends to roll and can be difficult to stabilize.

Basilic vein

The last choice vein for venipuncture in the antecubital fossa, located on the medial aspect (pinky side) of the arm over the basilic artery.

Tourniquet placement distance

The position where the tourniquet is tied, typically $3$ to $4$ inches above the venipuncture site or elbow crease.

Maximum tourniquet time

The maximum duration a tourniquet is allowed to remain applied to a patient's arm, which is $1$ minute.

SA node

The structure in the heart that acts as the pacemaker.

Systolic blood pressure

The top blood pressure number, representing the contraction or squeeze phase of the heart.

Diastolic blood pressure

The bottom blood pressure number, representing the relaxation or release phase of the heart.