CVS

Cardiovascular System

Composed of the heart, blood vessels, and blood, its function is to mediate the movement of body fluids, transport oxygen, nutrients, carbon dioxide, and metabolic waste, regulate temperature, and distribute molecules.

Cardiac tissue

The tissue making up the wall of the heart, which consists of three layers.

Vascular tissue

Tissue consisting of arteries, veins, and capillaries.

Tunica adventitia

The outer coat of blood vessels that supports other layers.

Tunica media

The middle coat of blood vessels, comprised of smooth muscle cells that help move blood.

Tunica intima

The inner lining of blood vessels, consisting of endothelium and connective tissue.

Pericardium

The membrane surrounding the heart, consisting of fibrous pericardium and serous pericardium.

Fibrous pericardium

The tough outer layer of the pericardium that anchors the heart.

Serous pericardium

The inner layer of the pericardium, composed of parietal and visceral layers.

Epicardium

The visceral layer of serous pericardium that covers the heart.

Pericardial cavity

The fluid-filled space between the parietal and visceral layers of the serous pericardium.

Cardiac tamponade

A clinical condition where excess fluid builds in the pericardial cavity, applying pressure on the heart.

Epicardium

The outermost layer of the heart wall, also known as visceral pericardium.

Myocardium

The thickest layer of the heart wall, responsible for the heart's contractions.

Endocardium

The thin inner layer of the heart wall, lining the heart's chambers.

Myocardial infarction

A condition resulting from lack of blood flow and oxygen, leading to death of cardiac muscle cells.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

Arterioles

Small branches of arteries that lead to capillaries.

Capillaries

Small blood vessels where gas and nutrient exchange occurs.

Venules

Small vessels that collect blood from capillaries and merge into veins.

Pulmonary circuit

The path of blood flow from the right side of the heart to the lungs and back to the left side of the heart.

Systemic circuit

The path of blood flow from the left side of the heart to the body and back to the right side of the heart.

Trabeculae carneae

Folds within both the myocardium and endocardium that allow the heart to expand during blood filling.

Elastic artery

A type of artery that has a thick wall with elastin fibers to accommodate large volumes of blood.

Muscular artery

A type of artery that has a thicker muscular layer for regulating blood pressure and flow.

Fenestrated capillary

A type of capillary with pores in its walls for enhanced permeability.

Valves

Structure in veins that ensures blood flows in one direction and prevents backflow.