Cardiovascular and Medical Terminology Glossary

Vocabulary flashcards covering 48 key cardiovascular and medical terms from the lecture notes.

Aorta

The largest artery in the body that carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart.

Apex

The lower pointed end of the heart.

Atrial Kick

Final contraction of the atria that actively pushes blood into the ventricles before they contract.

Atrioventricular (AV) Node

Specialized tissue that regulates electrical impulses between the atria and ventricles.

Atrium

Upper chamber (pouch-like) that fills the ventricles with blood.

Auscultation

Listening to body sounds (heart, lungs, GI) with a stethoscope.

Automaticity

Ability of cardiac cells to spontaneously generate electrical impulses.

Bachmann’s Bundle

Part of the heart’s conduction system that ensures nearly simultaneous depolarization of both atria.

Bundle Branch

Conduction pathway transmitting impulses from the Bundle of His to Purkinje fibers for ventricular depolarization.

Bundle of His

Conduction fibers that receive impulses from the AV node and relay them to the bundle branches.

Contract

To shorten or tighten muscle tissue during activation.

Coronary Arteries

Arteries that supply oxygenated blood to the myocardium.

Cyanosis

Bluish discoloration of skin, lips, or extremities due to inadequate perfusion.

Depolarization

Change in a cell’s electrical charge (sodium influx) that triggers muscle contraction.

Diaphoresis

Excessive sweating.

Diastolic Pressure

Blood pressure when the heart muscle relaxes; the bottom BP number.

Ectopic

Originating outside the SA node; often describes abnormal heartbeats.

Endocardium

Innermost layer of the heart.

Epicardium

Outermost layer of the heart.

Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)

Infection acquired in a health-care setting or via health-care workers.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

U.S. law protecting patient data privacy and security.

Holter Monitor

Wearable device that records heart activity continuously for 24–48 h to detect arrhythmias.

Implied Consent

Consent inferred from a patient’s actions rather than explicit words.

Intercostal

Located between the ribs.

Leads

Wires that transmit electrical activity from skin electrodes to an EKG machine.

Mediastinum

Chest cavity compartment containing the heart and major vessels.

Medical Asepsis

Practices that reduce and prevent pathogen spread.

Midaxillary

Imaginary vertical line through the armpit dividing front and back of the body.

Midclavicular

Imaginary vertical line through the midpoint of the clavicle.

Myocardium

Middle muscular layer of the heart responsible for contractions.

Palpation

Examining the body using the hands.

Perfuse

To deliver oxygen-rich blood to tissues via circulation.

Pericardium

Fluid-filled sac surrounding the heart that reduces friction.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Gloves, masks, gowns, goggles, and other gear that protect against exposure.

Protected Health Information (PHI)

Any identifiable data about a patient’s health or payment history.

Pulmonary Arteries

Arteries that carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.

Pulmonary Veins

Veins that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.

Purkinje Fibers

Fibers that conduct electrical impulses to ventricular muscle for contraction.

Repolarization

Restoration of a cell’s resting electrical state following depolarization.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

Document detailing hazards, handling, and first-aid for chemicals.

Septum

Wall separating the left and right sides of the heart.

Sinoatrial (SA) Node

Primary pacemaker in the right atrium; initiates the P wave on an EKG.

Sphygmomanometer

Device (cuff, bulb, gauge) used to measure blood pressure.

Standard Precautions

Basic infection-control steps used before, during, and after patient encounters.

Stress Test

Exercise-induced test to provoke ischemia and observe EKG changes.

Systolic Pressure

Blood pressure during heart contraction; the top BP number.

Therapeutic Communication

Verbal and nonverbal methods ensuring clear, supportive interaction with patients.

Ventricle

Lower heart chamber that pumps blood to the lungs or the rest of the body.